Stop futile turf wars

The seemingly never-ending acrimony between two key officials in the lands portfolio is disappointing.

Lands Cabinet secretary Charity Ngilu and the National Land Commission boss, Dr Mohammed Swazuri, appear to have a difficult official relationship, just when greater cooperation could ease their jobs in this crucial sector.

Land remains a sensitive issue and has been at the core of many past bloody conflicts. It is a matter that must be carefully handled as land is a key factor of production and there is not enough for all to get as much as they would wish.

There are also historical injustices that need to be redressed as land tenure is streamlined to ensure that private interest does not override the need to plan for public amenities and the provision of infrastructure.

The officials need not necessarily like each other personally as their roles are clearly defined constitutionally. However, as the two continue their needless power tussle, it is the delivery of services that suffers.

President Kenyatta, who has reportedly intervened through Chief of Staff Joseph Kinyua to end the dispute, should get the two officials to appreciate each other’s roles and work in tandem to achieve his administration’s land reform goals.