Kenya's National Land Commission Partners with World Bank to Digitize Compulsory Land Acquisition Processes

 

In a landmark move to modernize Kenya's land governance systems, the National Land Commission (NLC) has embarked on a partnership with the World Bank to digitize compulsory land acquisition processes. The initiative aims to boost efficiency, transparency, and accountability in land acquisition while ensuring timely and fair compensation for Project Affected Persons (PAPs).

The consultative meeting, held earlier today and chaired by NLC Chief Executive Officer CHRP Kabale Tache Arero, brought together key representatives from the World Bank and senior officials from the NLC secretariat. The discussion focused on leveraging digital transformation to streamline compulsory land acquisition—an often complex and contentious process in public infrastructure development.

“This collaboration marks a significant step toward modernizing land acquisition processes in Kenya,” said CEO Kabale Tache Arero. “By leveraging technology, the Commission aims to reduce delays, enhance transparency, and ensure affected parties receive prompt and fair compensation.”

The digitization project is expected to deliver real-time data capabilities, faster verification of land records, and more efficient payment systems for PAPs. It will also support the creation of a comprehensive Public Land Inventory—an essential tool for monitoring and managing public land assets across the country.

The World Bank delegation included Dr. Adam Babatu and Wanjiku Githinji, both of whom reiterated the Bank’s commitment to supporting Kenya’s efforts in improving land governance and fostering sustainable development.

Senior NLC officials in attendance included:

• Joel Ombati (Director, Valuation and Taxation)
• CPA Bernard Cherutich (Director, Finance and Corporate Planning)
• Dr. Sam Nthuni (Director, Land Administration and Management)
• CHRP Ben Bett (Director, Human Resource Management)
• Amos Kasaine (Head of ICT)
• Jacob Kipaa (Deputy Director, Valuation and Taxation)
• Daudin Abdullahi (Principal Accountant and Liaison Officer between NLC and the World Bank)

The digitization initiative is poised to significantly transform how land is acquired for public use in Kenya, aligning with national goals for improved service delivery, sustainable urban planning, and inclusive development.

As Kenya continues to implement large-scale infrastructure projects, the need for transparent and efficient land acquisition processes has never been more critical. The NLC’s digitization agenda, in collaboration with the World Bank, is set to become a cornerstone of land governance reform in the country.