Lands ministry must digitise processes

The message on the digitisation and computerisation of records and processes in ministry of Lands hit public space during Amos Kimunya’s time. But the hype soon died down following his exit.

Not much was heard of the initiative during Kivutha Kibwana’s short stint in an acting capacity. But it assumed public visibility once again under James Orengo, even at one time drawing the then Prime Minister Raila Odinga to the ministry to witness some demonstration.

Then Charity Ngilu came and upped the game, even at some point closing the Lands registry to sort out records in readiness for digitisation and computerisation of processes. But she was soon gone. Dr Fred Matiang’i succeeded her in an acting capacity. He, too, soon left. The computerisation would again hit public space under Prof Jacob Kaimenyi. In collaboration with the National Land Commission, he even launched some standards and guidelines to guide the establishment of a land information management system. Unfortunately, the public wasn’t quite able to figure out where the ministry was headed with the matter.

PUBLIC SPACE

Farida Karoney has now assumed office. Like Ngilu, one of her visible interventions in the ministry was to close operations in the registry once more. Many Kenyans have no clarity on what’s going on. This is why it is good that the ministry has lately adopted a communication strategy of engaging users through print and broadcast notices. This needs to be scaled up and maintained.

The digitisation of land records and the subsequent computerisation of technical processes would be one of the best gifts that government can give Kenyans. It would expedite processes, reduce transaction costs and, to a large extent, eliminate physical visits to Lands offices. It would make the process of collecting land revenue efficient, faster and less porous.

So, is the development of a comprehensive national system beyond us? Not at all.

INTEGRATED

Indeed, in the last one decade, internal studies in the ministry have documented all the existing digitisation and automation initiatives. As a result, a road map for the design of a comprehensive land information management system was developed. Under the road map, all the existing computerisation initiatives were to be integrated and the maps in the survey department linked with land ownership records in the registry. The various land administration processes were also to be computerised.

It is now unfolding that the ninistry decided to first focus on sub-systems that support revenue collection.

SEVEN MINISTERS

This is wise since it will save the public numerous trips to the ministry and will reduce revenue loss. But a much more comprehensive approach integrating the basic survey, planning, allocation, valuation and land registration sub-processes will be necessary. This is however an expensive long term and undertaking.

But for success, it’ll be necessary to reduce the turnover of top leadership in the Ministry which has seen seven ministers and six Principal Secretaries at its helm in about a decade.

The writer is Mwathane is a surveyor and chairman of the Land Development and Governance Institute. [email protected]