National Land Commission’s Powers Restored as Parliament Passes Landmark Bill

 

National Land Commission CEO CHRP Kabale Tache Arero

In a decisive move to strengthen land governance in Kenya, the National Assembly has unanimously passed the National Land Commission (Amendment) Bill No. 43 of 2023, sponsored by Hon. Owen Baya. The bill reinstates the National Land Commission's (NLC) constitutional authority to review grants and disposals of public land, a critical function in ensuring transparency and accountability in land transactions.

The passage of this bill marks a significant victory for land reform advocates, as it restores the NLC’s oversight role in determining the legality and rightful ownership of public land allocations. This reinstatement comes at a time when land disputes and illegal acquisitions remain major challenges in the country’s development agenda.

Beyond restoring the NLC’s powers, the new legislation also introduces a major breakthrough in addressing historical land injustices (HLI). Previously, claims related to HLI were bound by strict timelines, limiting the ability of victims to seek justice. With the new amendment, these timelines have been removed, allowing the NLC to admit and process land injustice claims without constraints.

"This bill is a game-changer for land justice in Kenya. By removing the restrictions on historical land injustices, we are giving all affected communities a fair chance to seek redress,” said NLC Chief Executive CHRP Kabale Tache Arero.

The passage of the bill reflects the government’s confidence in the National Land Commission’s ability to uphold fairness and integrity in land management. President William Ruto has repeatedly emphasized the need to resolve land disputes, illegal acquisitions, and historical grievances, and this bill aligns with his administration’s commitment to land justice.

Hon. Owen Baya, who championed the bill, acknowledged the overwhelming support it received in Parliament, thanking Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah and Hon. Joash Nyamoko, Chair of the Parliamentary Departmental Land Committee, for their role in ensuring its success.

With the bill now set to become law, all eyes will be on the NLC’s implementation of its reinstated powers. The Commission is expected to ramp up reviews of past land allocations, investigate public land transactions, and process historical land injustice claims with renewed vigor.

As Kenya continues to grapple with land fraud, illegal settlements, and historical grievances, this legislative milestone offers a fresh opportunity to restore order, fairness, and justice in the country’s land sector.

March 15, 2025