Ngilu accused of disrespect for law

National Land Commission boss Mohammed Swazuri Sunday accused minister Charity Ngilu of disrespect for the rule of law, escalating a conflict that has paralysed some sections of the ministry.

Dr Swazuri said the rule of law is not followed at the ministry even after the President, through Chief of Staff Joseph Kinyua, convened a meeting to resolve the dispute.

“We had a fruitful meeting chaired by Mr Kinyua. It was resolved that the Constitution should be followed, but there are still conflicts,” he said. 

Dr Swazuri has accused Mrs Ngilu of engaging in impunity, a factor which has derailed service delivery since the beginning of the year.

According to Dr Swazuri, the lands commission can only be removed through a referendum. 

The power tussle between the two started last October after Mrs Ngilu transferred gazetted officers — former Commissioner of Lands Zablon Mabea, Chief Lands Registrar Wambugu Ngatia and Director of Survey Euphantus Murage — a role Dr Swazuri felt was not hers.

The infighting has stalled land transfers, leases and the signing of title deeds at the ministry.
“People should follow the law, my position is a creation of the Constitution, no one but a referendum can remove me, the commission is here to stay and they should live with it,” Dr Swazuri said.

As a result of these differences, the ministry has contributed less than Sh1 billion to the Consolidated Fund. It is expected to collect about Sh16 billion for the national coffers annually.

Even Parliament has failed to reconcile the two with Lands committee vice-chairman Moses ole Sakuda saying the problems between the two have cost the government Sh15 billion.

Dr Swazuri said he will this morning convene a meeting with commissioners to chart the way forward. “The commissioners will meet this morning and discuss these issues,” he said.