MPs probe land ownership row at Kiambu National Polytechnic

National Assembly Committee on Education chairperson Julius Melly while chairing a public participation at Kenya Coast National Polytechnic in Mombasa County on Thursday 23rd March 2023, while trying to find out if indeed there was rigging of the year 2022 KCSE Examination. [File, Standard] The National Assembly Committee on Education is now questioning the ownership of Kiambu National Polytechnic's 70-acre parcel of land. Committee Chairperson Julius Melly led members on an inspection tour of the institution, raising concerns not only over the land's ownership but also its continued control by a Board of Trustees, despite legal provisions that transferred ownership to the institution. On Tuesday, the committee visited the polytechnic to seek clarity on the ownership, title deeds, and valuation of the land. They demanded an urgent review of the institution's governance and land ownership records, including the original title deed and financial statements from the Board of Trustees. According to documents presented by the polytechnic's administration, the institution currently occupies 70 acres, with the title deed held by the National Treasury. "The issue of land ownership at this institution is not new. In 2017, this Committee examined the same matter. The Board of Trustees, which was initially established to hold the land in trust for the public, has gradually morphed into a private entity," said Melly. The MPs have now demanded to know the whereabouts of the original title deed. "We need to see the mother title. What we have seen here is a lease. The land was originally freehold. So where is the original title deed today?" asked Gatundu North MP Njoroge Kururia, who is also a member of the committee. Mandera South MP Haro Abdul added, "The fact that the original title is still held by Trustees is very telling. It's clear the land is not in the hands of this institution." However, Principal Sammy Waititu explained that the institution was established in 1971, spearheaded by the late President Jomo Kenyatta. Initially, 200 acres were acquired through community contributions. "In 2017, the then President directed that the land be officially handed over to the institution. As a result, we now have 70 acres, with the lease held by the National Treasury. However, the original title remains with the Board of Trustees," Waititu said. Lugari MP Nabii Nabwera also expressed concern over the institution's management structure. "This is a very interesting governance issue. Why would a Board of Trustees hold public land meant for a public institution? This defeats the purpose of public ownership," he stated. The Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Act, 2013, provides that all assets of public TVET institutions should be managed and owned by their Boards of Governors. "The TVET Act is clear. The role of Trustees does not exist in the current legal framework. All properties of such institutions should be under the name of the institute, managed by the Board of Governors," Melly reiterated. Luanda MP Dick Maungu added, "This Committee cannot ignore these inconsistencies. We need a clear inventory of all land assets, their titles, and the current management structure. We must also examine the financial statements of the Board of Trustees." The committee has since vowed to pursue the matter to its conclusion to ensure the institution's assets are lawfully aligned and under public control. "The public deserves to know that institutions like Kiambu National Polytechnic are operating transparently and within the law," Melly affirmed.

MPs probe land ownership row at Kiambu National Polytechnic

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MPs probe land ownership row at Kiambu National Polytechnic

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