State corporations under scrutiny over missing land ownership documents
By Lucy Mumbi |
The MPs specifically pointed out that the Child Welfare Society of Kenya (CWSK) and the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) lack title documents for certain parcels of land.
Various State corporations have been called out for their failure to produce essential ownership documents for their land and for not establishing boards to oversee their operations.
In a report presented by the Public Investments Committee on Social Services Administration and Agriculture (PIC-SSAA), chaired by Navakholo Member of Parliament Emmanuel Wangwe, concerns were raised regarding the corporations' inability to surrender imprests and their delays in submitting necessary documents to Auditor General Nancy Gathungu.
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The MPs specifically pointed out that the Child Welfare Society of Kenya (CWSK) and the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) lack title documents for certain parcels of land. In some instances, these lands have been unlawfully taken over by private developers.
Additionally, while the Kenya Institute for Public Policy, Research and Analysis holds a title deed for its land, it faces access restrictions due to fencing erected by the Department of Veterinary Services.
Members of Parliament expressed concern over the legal and operational shortcomings within these corporations. They emphasised that numerous legal disputes related to land ownership and other issues involving State corporations have remained unresolved in the courts for an extended period, despite National Assembly resolutions calling for prompt resolutions to these cases.
Unresolved disputes
"State corporations must take immediate action to resolve their legal and operational shortcomings. It is unacceptable that land ownership disputes remain unresolved in the courts for such an extended period, despite our calls for swift resolutions," Wangwe said.
The committee also noted that the corporations are operating with insufficient budgetary provisions, despite having received initial approvals from the exchequer.
As a result, the committee instructed the Cabinet Secretary for Land, Housing and Urban Development, along with the Chairman of the National Land Commission, to impose caveats on all parcels of land owned by State corporations that are currently in private hands.
They were directed to report back to the National Assembly within two months.
Further, the committee urged accounting officers to prioritise and expedite the resolution of ownership issues related to State corporation land through the National Land Commission within the next six months, requiring updates on progress to be submitted to the National Assembly.
To address the ongoing issues, the committee proposed that the National Assembly enact legislation to ensure that all public land ownership documents are centrally maintained under the custody of the National Treasury for safekeeping.
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