We’re on course, say Ngilu, Swazuri
What you need to know:
- The report, which will be presented to the Supreme Court, had identified areas of conflict and clearly defined the roles of each institution to facilitate a harmonious working relation, the two further said.
- He said the issue of title deeds that his office had declared invalid had been sorted out. “Title holders can now transact business without fear,” he said.
A Supreme Court order and a presidential directive to end conflicts between the Lands ministry and the National Land Commission are bearing fruit.
In a rare show, Cabinet Secretary Charity Ngilu and NLC boss Muhammad Swazuri shook hands, exchanged pleasantries and sat together during a lands forum in Nairobi Wednesday.
The two said the issues that created conflict between them had been ironed out.
A technical team made up of staff from the ministry and the commission has already developed guidelines meant to help the two work in harmony as directed by the Supreme Court.
Mrs Ngilu and Dr Swazuri said they had addressed their differences and promised to deliver on the government promise to reform the lands sector.
The report, which will be presented to the Supreme Court, had identified areas of conflict and clearly defined the roles of each institution to facilitate a harmonious working relation, the two further said.
Dr Swazuri said goodwill from the President helped in addressing their difference.
“It is true there were issues we felt were making our work as a commission difficult, including access to files, survey maps, registration of titles and even access to Ardhi House,” said Dr Swazuri.
“But I am glad to announce the team working on the guidelines has done a good job. The accord the Cabinet secretary and I signed has created a new working relationship that will translate into efficiency in service delivery,” said Dr Swazuri.
DECLARED INVALID
He said the issue of title deeds that his office had declared invalid had been sorted out. “Title holders can now transact business without fear,” he said.
Mrs Ngilu said working together with Dr Swazuri was a great step towards tackling the critical land question in Kenya.
“The order that we work together given by the President and the Supreme Court is bearing fruit and I can now confirm that the plan to issue three million title deeds within the next three years is on course.
“This will be double the number of titles we have issued since independence. Most of the titles we are working on are being produced from our modern title production centre, which is producing 14,000 titles per day,” said Mrs Ngilu.
They spoke during a stakeholder’s consultative meeting on land reforms called by the Land Development and Governance Institute in Nairobi.
