The government has started digitising land records in Kiambu County to ease registry congestion, speed up services, and reduce fraud. Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome led the initiative during her visit to the Kiambu Lands Registry.
Wahome noted that Kiambu manages over 300,000 land files across eight sub-counties. She said that paper-based records pose many challenges. “We need to be able to make it as smooth as possible for people to be able to easily access services… the ministry of lands will do what it takes to digitise all records and do away with manual record-keeping,” Wahome stated.
She also addressed registry overcrowding. To ease it, the ministry installed secure storage containers outside the office. Wahome said these are a temporary fix until full digitisation begins. “We will need an overhaul of how we monitor and make sure there is serious accountability… in order to deliver efficient services for the sake of the citizens,” she added.
Kiambu collected KSh 522 million in land revenue last year. Wahome explained that digitisation will help the county reach its KSh 7 billion target. The project also aims to increase transparency in land transactions and build public trust. Wahome emphasised the need to upgrade registry counters and refurbish buildings to instill confidence among users.
Although she did not share a full timeline, Wahome confirmed the ministry had set up IT infrastructure. They are also training registry staff to use the Ardhisasa system (Kenya’s National Land Information Management System). She said the government will not rest until every record in Kiambu is fully digitised.
The initiative follows growing public outcry. Many Kenyans blame delays and missing documents on manual systems. Land experts agree that digital records offer faster searches, secure ownership, and easier transactions. They also note this will curb duplicate titles and land grabs.
Community leaders welcomed the move. One county officer told Kiambu TV that digitisation will save time and money for residents. Another added that full compliance will deter corrupt practices.
Wahome also pledged ongoing support. She urged local officials to embrace the change and avoid sabotage. “We need to overhaul how we monitor and make sure there is serious accountability,” she repeated during her address. Her visit signals firm government commitment to improving land services across the country.
This pilot in Kiambu forms part of a larger, nationwide effort to digitise land registries. If successful, it will serve as a model for other counties. It will also align Kenya’s land sector with the government’s digital and anti-corruption ambitions.
For citizens, the benefits are clear. They could soon request certified land documents online. They could trace property history without visiting offices. Most importantly, they could get official land titles quickly and securely.
