LAND REFORMS IN KENYA AND AROUND AFRICA
This blog focuses on issues of land reforms in Kenya and around Africa and related matters
Deployment of land professionals in the Ministry of Lands
Some local local newspapers today, Thursday 16th January 2014(The Standard, The Star), quote correspondences, allegedly attributed to the Cabinet Secretary for Lands, Hon Charity Ngilu to the Public Service Commission indicating intentions to deploy/redeploy some of the senior land professionals/technical officers in the Ministry. If honoured, the correspondence will have the effect of promoting and exiting some of the officers who drive service delivery in the land sector in Kenya.
While Ngilu's efforts to clean up the Ministry are welcome, reading in between the reports, one gets the impression that the proposals for deployment/redeployment have been without comprehensive internal consultations and the consideration of some of the basics that should inform deployment/promotions. In a sensitive sector like Lands whose service delivery record at the head office and the counties remains of great concern to the public, such deployment/redeployment of officers needs to consider aspects such as:-
- Integrity of the affected officers
- Professional competence
- Previous track record in service
- Seniority in public service
- Demonstration of understanding and commitment to reforms in the land sector
- Competitiveness....advertisement of the available jobs so as to afford all qualified professionals in the sector......in the public and private sector......an opportunity to apply and competed for appointment into the jobs by the Public Service Commission as has been the practice.
It is worrying that the leadership in the Ministry continues to send mixed signals on service delivery and the implementation of land reforms yet the land policy, the constitution and the new land laws provide clarity on how to steer the land sector in Kenya. Land is a key sector in the country and affects many other sectors of development. Kenyans would therefore be happy to see a robust and cohesive Ministry of Lands where merit and reforms drive deployment and where service delivery and public complaints are accorded expedient attention at national and county level.
