Search for new NLC bosses begins as team declares vacancies

Those seeking to be named as the chairperson of National Land Commission and commissioners have until June 24 to apply for the positions.

A selection panel set up to recruit the officials declared the chairman’s position and those of eight commissioners vacant.

“In the spirit of promoting national values and principles of governance of inclusivity, equality and protection of the marginalized, women and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply,” the panel said in an advert on June 4.

This comes almost four months after the former team led by Muhamad Swazuri ended in February after the mandatory six-year term.

The panelists are Kennedy Kihara from Cabinet Office, Steven Oundo (Architectural Association of Kenya member and also a former chair of National Construction Authority) and commercial and property law expert Esther Njiru Omulele.

The others are Priscilla Nyokabi Kanyua, a National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC) commissioner and Mairura Omwenga, an infrastructure/transport engineer and planner as well as University of Nairobi don.

The former NLC team, a constitutional commission established under Article 67, was sworn into office on February 20, 2013.

The commission had been in the limelight over corruption allegations, especially concerning compulsory acquisition and compensation for land.

Some former NLC officials have denied charges of conspiring to defraud the Government.

Other former commissioners include Abigael Mbagaya, Samuel Tororei, Abdulkadir Adan Khalif, Tomiik Konyimbih, Silas Kinoti, Rose Mumbua, Muthoni Njogu and Clement Isaiah Lenachuru.

The law requires that the President kick starts the recruitment process within 14 days of the commissioners leaving the office.

The first schedule of the NLC Act mandates the President to within 14 days to constitute a selection panel once vacancies arise in the office of member and chair of the NLC.

The panel will within seven days put out an advert calling for applications for the position and within 21 days after the expiry of the dateline, consider the applications, publish the shortlist and interview. They will thereafter shortlist two qualified applicants for the position of chairperson and 16 for members.

Upon the receipt of the names of successful applicants, the President, within 14 days, nominates the chairperson and members. The names will be forwarded to the National Assembly for vetting within 21 days.

If Parliament approves the names within seven days, they are forwarded to the President. The appointees' names are published in a gazette within seven days.

Had the strict constitutional timelines been adhered to, the new commissioners would be waiting to be sworn in by now.