Mau an important water tower

They say that the obvious may not always be so to everyone. This is so true of Mau Forest and its associated issues. The Mau has previously frustrated the political careers of top politicians in Kenya. And unless they pay heed, it will continue to do so. Why I am I so certain? The Mau is a natural ecosystem, complete with a vast tree cover, and an elevation that allows it to serve as a perfect water tower. It feeds great rivers like the Sondu, Njoro and Mara. The Sondu waters serve a wide basin before getting to Lake Victoria while Njoro feeds Lake Nakuru. The Mara river meanders through the Mara National Reserve then drifts into Serengeti National Park in Northern Tanzania. The Mara and Serengeti are renown touristic addresses in Eastern Africa and worldwide.

International attention

Exercise self-restraint and accountability

In August, we shall vote in new leaders into most of the political offices. Many people are therefore anxious, wondering how the general elections will go, and what the looming transition portends. But we have power in our hands and heads. Kenya and its citizens have weathered many tough seasons since independence. I predict that this year will be a lot easier to navigate than many imagine. With the lessons learnt and the many red flags raised hitherto, we should be best prepared for any eventualities. Let heads of families and groups provide level-headed leadership and advocate self-restraint and hope to those they lead. Let everyone focus and deliver on their tasks. Our intelligence and security organs should maintain vigilance and expeditiously deal with any breaches. With such accountability, the elections will come and go, and Kenya will move on.

Applications for Director of Surveys

Policy and legal reform

Kenya’s journey to land reforms has been long and exhausting. Nevertheless, the progress has been encouraging. This has included the enactment of a national land policy, anchoring its key principles in the constitution and the enactment of several new land laws. Some key land management roles, including the approval of development applications, are now devolved to the Counties. A national land commission, never mind its chequered history, is now in place. This makes the protection and management of public land a lot more reassuring and systematic. The Commission’s attempt to repossess grabbed public land never quite went well, and the timeline to deal expired. Parliament refused to extend it. The timeline to receive historical land injustices expired in September this year. Kenyans are eagerly waiting to see how the Commission resolves the claims received. A closure to unresolved historical grievances is necessary. They are bad for our economy and political stability.

Access to justice: Environment and Land Courts

Restricted Searches: Closed or open registry system for Kenya?

Right from inception, Kenya’s land registry system has remained open. This meant that anyone with an interest on a registered piece of land could apply and obtain an official search in the various land registries without restriction. Many jurisdictions operate such systems. They allow individuals and institutions to obtain information on the proprietorship and encumbrances on any registered land parcel to use in transactions of their interest, whenever they may wish, provided they pay for any required statutory fees, unrestricted.

However, after a long period of operating an open registry system, the government clawed back and introduced the practice where to conduct an official search against a land parcel, one needed provide a copy of the title deed to the parcel. This means therefore that one must know the owner to a parcel before they undertake a search against it. This practice, which actually contradicts constitutional requirements for transparency, citizen right to information, and the key objective for property searches, has gone on for quite a while now.

LAND WATCH NOTE

1. LAND INFORMATION MANAGEMENT