Charity Ngilu directs surveyors not to issue maps to National Land Commission

Cabinet Secretary Charity Ngilu when she appeared before House committee for grilling over illegal appointments.  [PHOTO: FILE]

By CYRUS OMBATI and GEOFFREY MOSOKU

NAIROBI, KENYA: The rift between Lands Cabinet Secretary Charity Ngilu and the National Land Commission has widened as the minister has now directed the Director of Surveys to stop issuing land registration maps to the commission.

In a letter dated March 7, signed by the acting Director of Surveys Cesare Mbaria on behalf of the Cabinet Secretary, various heads of departments in the directorate were directed to stop issuing the crucial documents that are key in preparation for title deeds.

“In light of the grave irregularity that the above Gazette Notice poses, you are hereby directed forthwith not to issue any registration maps for new grants, extension of lease or change of user to the National Land Commission until further notice,” read part of the letter.

The letter was copied to Mrs Ngilu, Principal Secretary in the ministry Mariam El Maawy, deputy director of surveys, head of land surveys, head of mapping unit, Principal Kenya Institute of Surveying and Mapping, all national government regional surveyors and county surveyors.

Mbaria explained the move was necessitated by a gazette notice dated February 21 and issued by the NLC chairman Mohammed Swazuri in respect to new forms for leases and grants to public land pursuant to Sections 23 and 160 of the Land Act.

He said Section 15 of the Land Registration Act 2012 provides that the department of surveys shall prepare and thereafter maintain a map or series of maps to be known as Cadastral Map for every registration unit.

This came only a week after the office formerly occupied Ephantus Murage as director of surveys was broken into before being handed over officially to Mbaria. Ministry officials were looking for documents on Kenya’s international boundary maps, which were in the custody of Murage before he was evicted.

Mbari’s letter said the minister is yet to prepare regulations to give effect to the Land Act.

The move is the latest in the ongoing tussle between NLC and the minister that has paralysed some sections of the ministry. The commission has accused Ngilu of disregard to the rule of law.

The infighting has stalled land transfers, leases and the signing of title deeds at the ministry.

Monday, Swazuri said the move would negatively affect their goals and mandates of NLC at large.