Kibaki, Raila nominate Land Commission team

By Alex Ndegwa

President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga have nominated members to the National Land Commission (NLC). The commission will manage public land on behalf of the national and county governments.

The delay in establishing the commission key to land reforms has been criticised, especially after Cabinet in January froze renewal of expired land leases pending its establishment.

The President and PM have nominated Muhammad Swazuri, a former commissioner of the Constitution of Kenya Review Commission, as chairperson of the NLC.

Other nominees are Dr Tomiik Konyimbih, Silas Muriithi, Dr Rose Musyoka, Dr Samuel Torerei, Abigael Mbagaya, Emma Njogu, Clement Lenachuru and Abdulkadir Khalif.

The names of the nominees have been forwarded to Parliament for approval.  Acting Head of Public Service Francis Kimemia told Clerk of the National Assembly Patrick Gichohi through a letter dated July 4 that the President and PM have consulted and agreed to nominate the listed persons.

“The nominations are based on performance in the interview, relevant professional competence, regional, ethnic and gender balance,” reads the letter, a copy of which The Standard obtained on Tuesday.

Ban on transactions

“The purpose of this letter is to request you to submit the nine names to the National Assembly for approval,” adds the letter copied to PS in the Office of the Prime Minister Mohamed Isahakia and the President’s Private Secretary Nick Wanjohi.

The letter notes the report of the selection panel including the score sheet and the CVs of the nominees are attached to support the nominations pursuant to the National Land Commission Act, 2012.

Authorities had promised to put the commission in place by end of March. In January Cabinet suspended issuance of new leases for public, private and trust lands until the NLC was operational to curb irregular extension of land tenures.

Cabinet also froze disposal of public assets by the Central Government and Local Authorities during the transition to guard against plunder of public assets in the transition to devolved government.