A Parliamentary oversight visit to Kiambu National Polytechnic has sparked concerns over the institution’s land ownership, with Members of Parliament questioning the legality and transparency of its current status.
The National Assembly Committee on Education, led by Chairperson Hon. Julius Melly, conducted a fact-finding mission at the institution on Monday as part of their oversight responsibilities. During the visit, MPs pressed the Polytechnic’s senior management for clarity on title deeds, land valuation, and the status of original ownership documents.
“The issue of land ownership at this institution is not new. In 2017, this Committee looked into the same matter,” Hon. Melly stated. “The Board of Trustees, which was initially established to hold the land in trust for the public, now seems to function more like a private entity.”
According to documents presented by the Polytechnic administration, the institution currently occupies 70 acres under a lease held by the National Treasury. However, this raised more questions than answers among the legislators.
“We need to see the mother title,” said Hon. Njoroge Kururia. “What we’ve been shown is a lease document. Originally, the land was freehold—so where is the original title deed today?”
Principal Sammy Waititu explained that the Polytechnic was founded in 1979 following a community-driven effort led by President Jomo Kenyatta. A total of 200 acres were initially acquired through local contributions. In 2017, a presidential directive saw 70 acres leased to the institution under the National Treasury. However, he acknowledged that the original title deed remains with the Board of Trustees.
This revelation prompted alarm from the Committee. “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,” said Hon. Abdul Haro.
Hon. Nabii Nabwera echoed these concerns, questioning the legitimacy of trustees holding public land: “Why would a Board of Trustees control land meant for a public institution?”
Under the TVET Act of 2013, all assets of public Technical and Vocational Education and Training institutions should be managed and owned by their Board of Governors. “The role of Trustees does not exist under the current law,” Hon. Melly emphasized. “All assets must be held in the institution’s name, not by private entities.”
The Committee demanded the immediate presentation of the original title deed and the financial statements of the Board of Trustees. Hon. Dick Maungu added, “We need a clear inventory of all land assets and their current management structures. We must ensure public assets are truly under public control.”
To resolve the matter, the Committee announced plans to summon the Board of Trustees, National Land Commission, and Ministry of Lands for further investigations. “The public deserves transparency and accountability. We shall not relent,” concluded Hon. Melly.
The Committee also visited Kabete National Polytechnic and Nairobi National Polytechnic as part of a broader oversight exercise focusing on asset management and institutional governance within the TVET sector.
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