The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has launched a programme aimed at sealing loopholes for corruption and improving service delivery at the Ministry of Lands.
The commission has launched systems examination into the systems, policies, procedures and practices at the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning and Department of Land in selected Counties, which will take four months to finish.
Its aim is to identify weaknesses and loopholes, policies, procedures and practices that provide opportunities for corruption.
“It is also expected to make recommendations on the best way to secure change that will ensure that the delivery of services is efficient and demonstrates integrity, transparency and accountability,” the commission deputy CEO Michael Mubea said.
The examination team will also prepare a report on findings and recommendations on how to seal identified corruption loopholes.
It will cover the operational areas that deal with land administration and management including support services that relate directly to these functions at the Ministry of Lands and Physical Planning, the National Land Registries and the department of lands in selected counties.
Mubea said the ministry leads in the number of complaints that they receive at the commission with demands for investigations.
He said the commission, like many other Kenyans is usually challenged whenever they go to the ministry to search for land ownership and realize there are two separate documents for the same piece of land.
“Service delivery is an issue at the ministry for even use whenever we search ownership of property and realize it has two documents. That is an indication there is a problem,” he said.
He assured the examination is not an investigation but will look for loopholes for corruption and report back as he sought for support from those concerned.
The ministry remains the most corrupt prone sector, he said. The ministry said it has embraced major reforms despite challenges and welcomed the exercise.
Cabinet Secretary Jacob Kaimenyi vowed to ensure the reform process is a success and urged the staff there to support the process.
“I am dedicated to land reforms and we will succeed. Watch this space,” he said.
EACC CEO Halakhe Waqo decried frustrations people including lawyers go through in searching land and property ownership at the ministry and hinted they had been informed one has to have Sh6,000 for the process to be successful.
“The ministry is at the centre of every complaint that we receive. This process is good for us all,” said Waqo.
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Waqo said the examination is critical to our Country since land is a prominent factor of production and central to our economic growth and development.
The review of the systems, policies, practices and procedures is key in improving efficiency in service delivery, he added.
The ministry is always rated as one of the most corrupt and inefficient in the country. Officials from the ministry and several other stakeholders attended the event.
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