President Kenyatta backs lands registry shutdown

President Kenyatta on Thursday made an impromptu visit to Ardhi House, Nairobi, following the closure of Land offices.

He later endorsed the 10-day closure of the Lands ministry for an audit of records and to modernise the lands registry.

President Kenyatta said it was not acceptable for Kenyans to wait for 98 days for a file at the lands registry to be processed.

“We have instituted reforms at the Lands ministry to serve Kenyans better. We want to remove the stain that we are frustrating Kenyans in order to be bribed,” President Kenyatta told staff and the public at Ardhi House.

The Head of State commended Lands Cabinet Secretary Charity Ngilu for initiating the reforms and told her to maximise the 10-day closure of the central lands registry to complete the desired reforms.

“We want to see a new and improved Lands registry. I am monitoring the progress and you have the support of the government,” the President added.

His support for Mrs Ngilu came as the National Land Commission took its battle with the Cabinet Secretary to court over her decision.

The commission which had claimed that Mrs Ngilu’s move had paralysed services, is seeking a declaration that the minister’s actions were unconstitutional.

Though the Cabinet Secretary defended her actions saying they were meant to facilitate reforms at the registries, the commission insists that the decision to close the offices was unjustified, as it had denied them access to their place of work and kept the public from being served.

The commission wants the court to order the suspension of the May 2 and 4 public notices published in the dailies.

The ministry and the Attorney-General have also been sued with the commission being directed by the court to serve the parties before further directions on Friday.

The commissioners are also demanding uncontrolled access to the central registry, Nairobi registry and the banking hall to the commission’s staff offices and the public at large at Ardhi House.

“We need a temporary order suspending the notices and uncontrolled access to Ardhi House,” they said.

Reported by Maureen Kakah and John Ngirachu