NLC commissioners conclude term with over 31,000 requests for land regularisation processed

The outgoing leadership of the National Land Commission (NLC) has concluded a six-year term, having handled over 31,000 requests for land regularisation and formalisation, a move that strengthened land rights and improved access to services across the country.

Regularisation ensures occupants gain legal tenure and are able to access utilities and essential infrastructure, with Kajiado leading with 8,358 cases, followed closely by Mandera at 5,318.

The commissioners who served from November 2019 to November 2025 include chairperson Gershom Otachi, vice chairperson Gertrude Nduku, and commissioners Reginald Okumu, Alister Murimi, Hubbie Hussein, Prof James Tuitoek, and Kazungu Kambi, whose tenure ends this Friday.

Commissioners Tiyah Galgalo and Esther Murugi remain in office for an additional year.

The NLC, established under Article 67 of the Constitution, is tasked with managing public land on behalf of national and county governments and recommending a national land policy.

Its operations are guided by the NLC Act, 2012, the Land Act, 2012, and the Land Registration Act, 2012.

The commission has devolved its services to 47 county offices, supported by a secretariat led by a CEO and structured into six directorates and four departments.

In the exit report submitted to President William Ruto on November 12, Otachi said the commission achieved major policy and institutional milestones.

“We strengthened the framework for land administration, management and governance through key regulations, guidelines and policy instruments,” he stated.

He also highlighted the commission’s success in resolving historical land injustice claims, promoting alternative dispute resolution methods, and ensuring fair compensation for project-affected communities.

“These efforts contributed to advancing land justice, promoting equitable development and reinforcing the constitutional values of transparency, accountability and participation.”

The report indicates that Laikipia had 3,388 requests regularised, Nyandarua 3,279, Samburu 2,948, Narok 1,890, Machakos 1,718, Isiolo 1,542, Nairobi 1,348, Makueni 303, and Kiambu 284.

The outgoing commissioners played a critical role in facilitating land allocations to public institutions that were occupying plots without official documentation, ensuring that ownership was legally formalised.

In Nairobi, 44 requests were processed, while Busia, Kajiado, Migori, Nyeri, and Kiambu each handled between eight and 13 cases.

The National Housing Corporation scheme also benefited from the commission’s work, with 756 letters of allotment issued for the preparation and registration of titles.

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Meru received 207 letters, Laikipia 91, Kiambu 70, and Nairobi beneficiaries of the Civil Servants Housing Scheme were issued 75 letters for 99-year terms.

The commission handled 3,743 historical land injustice claims and processed 508 lease renewals alongside 10 extensions, in accordance with Section 13(1) of the Land Act, 2012, and the Land (Renewal and Extension of Leases) Regulations, 2017.

Nairobi had 122 leases renewed, with Kiambu, Nakuru, and Uasin Gishu recording multiple renewals. Land reservation efforts, aimed at safeguarding spaces for public institutions, resulted in 379 parcels being formally gazetted, including 147 in Nairobi.

The outgoing team leaves behind a strengthened framework for land governance, improved institutional capacity, and a legacy of protecting public land, addressing historical injustices, and supporting equitable access to property across the country