The National Assembly has approved a new legal requirement that all transactions involving public land must be announced in the Kenya Gazette before registration is completed.
This follows the House’s adoption of a Senate amendment to the Land (Amendment) Bill (National Assembly Bill No. 40 of 2022), sponsored by Ruiru MP Simon King’ara. The bill was initially passed on March 20, 2024, before being forwarded to the Senate for review.
Under Clause 5, the land registrar will now be obligated to publish a gazette notice detailing the particulars of every public land registration, a measure lawmakers say will improve transparency and accountability.
The bill will now be sent to President William Ruto for assent. Parliament noted that public disclosure would help curb fraud, prevent unlawful allocations, and create a permanent, accessible record for citizens.
Recent incidents highlight the need for stronger oversight. On August 1, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission recovered Sh104 million worth of public land in Mombasa that had been illegally acquired from the Kenya Airports Authority by a former Coast Province Physical Planner. In another case, Kenya Railways land in Mombasa was reclaimed years after it had been irregularly allocated to private individuals.
“The amendment reduces the risk of fraudulent transactions, promotes informed public participation, and provides a permanent, accessible record of land registrations,” the National Assembly stated.
Lawmakers say the gazette requirement will protect public land, reduce disputes, and ensure Kenyans stay informed about government land dealings.
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