Audit findings put lands ministry on the spot over records, compensation irregularities
The committee, chaired by Butere MP Tindi Mwale, met at Bunge Towers to examine issues that have remained unresolved for years.
The Ministry of Lands is on the spot over gaps in land asset documentation, questionable compensation procedures, and slow progress in digitising services.
Appearing before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Wednesday, Principal Secretary Nixon Korir faced tough questions on audit findings flagged in the National Audit Report for the year ending June 2023.
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The committee, chaired by Butere MP Tindi Mwale, met at Bunge Towers to examine issues that have remained unresolved for years.
Among the main concerns were outdated or missing records on land ownership, inconsistent compensation payments, and delays in completing digitisation projects.
PS Korir admitted the Ministry still faces challenges, though progress has been made. “Previously, there was only one valuer per county, but we now have valuation teams operating in regions such as Rift Valley and Central Kenya.”
Korir also stated that the Ministry is actively working to improve digital services. Committee members raised doubts about the Ministry’s internal capacity to manage land issues effectively.
“If the Ministry of Lands has issues with its land, how will it help the public?” asked Aldai MP Marianne Keitany.
Mathioya MP Edwin Mugo called for specific figures on the depreciated value of the Ministry’s assets and questioned the pace of digitisation.
“Other departments are digitising their services. How far along are you with asset digitisation?” he asked.
Turkana Central MP Joseph Namuar expressed concern over inconsistent land compensation, pointing out that while some individuals received full payments, others were either partially paid or not paid at all.
“We need to understand the criteria used in making these payments,” he said, demanding supporting documents including court orders and negotiation records.
PAC Chair Mwale noted that similar issues had been flagged in the 2020/2021 audit report.
“It was budgeted for more valuers. Since you now have 129 valuers, kindly expedite the report. This Committee expects that by the next financial year, this audit query will not recur,” he said.
In his response, Korir said no compensation was paid without clearance from the Attorney General’s office, and that some payments were handled by the Ministry of Transport and Roads.
He also mentioned the creation of a Public Utility Committee to improve oversight in land titling and accountability.
On digitisation, he said the ARDHISASA system is fully operational and integrated with e-Citizen to eliminate cash transactions.
“Payments are processed nationwide through the system, which is integrated with e-Citizen to eliminate cash transactions,” he said.
The Committee directed the PS to submit a detailed report within a week, including: all court cases related to compensation concluded and pending payment criteria, and documentation on all ongoing land-related projects.
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