Sh1.3billion budget cut at NLC set to cripple services

National Land Commission Chairman Muhammad Swazuri (R) with his Vice Abigael Mbagaya when they appeared before National Assembly Powers and Privileges at Parliament. [Boniface Okendo/Standard]

A budget cut of Sh1.3 billion will cripple key functions at the National Lands Commission (NLC), outgoing vice chair Abigael Mbagaya has said.

Services likely to be affected include titling of land belonging to schools following an order by President Uhuru Kenyatta, and resolution of historical land injustices countrywide.

NLC had requested for Sh2.5 billion in the 2018/19 budget, but was only given Sh1.2 billion.

In 2015, the President directed the Lands ministry to give title deeds to all schools following increased cases of grabbing of their land by private developers.

The commission was hoping to issue 6,000 title deeds to primary schools in the coming financial year.

The identified schools do not have ownership documents for the land on which they sit.

It should give another 10,000 titles to schools in the 2020/21 financial year.

“The Sh1.2 billion will not achieve much. If the commission can get more money, then it will realise some of the set goals for the next financial year. The school titling and reclamation of public lands will suffer heavily if the commission does not get additional funding,” Ms Mbagaya told National Assembly’s Lands Committee, which is chaired by Kitui South MP Rachael Nyamai.

Enough funds

According to Mbagaya, NLC targets to issue additional 4,000 titles by 2022. She, however, said the programmes might suffer due to inadequate Government funding.

So far, NLC has issued 9,566 titles to some public schools in the 47 counties.

“I wish to put a humble request before this committee to look into the shortfalls and consider additional funds to NLC. This will ensure the commission fulfills its functions and mandates as per the Constitution and other applicable statutes during the financial year under review and beyond,” she said.

Mbagaya, like the rest of the commissioners, left office yesterday after the expiry of their six-year term.

She defended the commission that has been embroiled in infighting and allegations of corruption, saying contrary to opinions they delivered their mandate.

“Most people are talking from a position of ignorance. We have delivered on our mandate,” she said.

Mbagaya told the MPs she, together with seven other directors, was a State wittiness in a case against Prof Swazuri and thus did not want to interfere with ongoing investigations.