A high-level intergovernmental meeting was held in Kiambu bringing together officials from the Intergovernmental Relations Technical Committee, the Ministry of Education, the National Land Commission and the Kiambu County Government to deliberate on the verification and transfer of public land and assets.
The meeting focused on parcels previously owned by the defunct Municipal Council that currently host primary schools and Early Childhood Development and Education (ECDE) centres across the county.
Officials said the discussions centred on conducting a thorough physical verification of the land and facilities to ensure proper documentation, lawful ownership and a smooth transfer process between the relevant levels of government.
The move is aimed at resolving long-standing administrative gaps that emerged following the transition from local authorities to devolved county governments. In many areas, public institutions such as schools and ECDE centres continue to operate on land whose ownership records require regularisation.
Participants underscored the importance of aligning records between national and county governments to eliminate disputes, prevent encroachment and safeguard public property meant for learners.
The Intergovernmental Relations Technical Committee is tasked with coordinating and facilitating cooperation between the two levels of government. During the Kiambu meeting, members emphasised the need for structured collaboration to ensure that education facilities are not disrupted by ownership wrangles.
Representatives from the Ministry of Education reiterated that secure land tenure for schools is critical for infrastructure development, planning and continued access to quality learning environments. They noted that proper documentation would also ease future expansion projects and public investment in the education sector.
On its part, the National Land Commission highlighted the legal processes required in transferring public land and stressed adherence to constitutional and statutory provisions to avoid future litigation.
Kiambu County officials welcomed the engagement, terming it a significant step towards streamlining asset management and strengthening service delivery at the grassroots level.
The outcome of the deliberations is expected to pave the way for a coordinated verification exercise across affected institutions. Once completed, the process will formalise ownership, clarify custodianship and ensure that primary schools and ECDE centres operate on legally recognised public land.
Leaders present maintained that securing public assets remains key to protecting learning spaces for current and future generations while promoting accountability in the management of devolved functions.
