Kenya’s ambitious plan to digitise land records, a move aimed at curbing graft and improving efficiency, faces another five years of development and a potential cost of up to Ksh40 billion.
This revelation emerged from former Cabinet Secretary in the Ministry of Lands, Public Works, Housing, and Urban Development, Alice Wahome, during her vetting by the National Assembly Committee on Appointments, chaired by Speaker Moses Wetangula.
Wahome disclosed that the digitisation of land records through the Ardhisasa system, launched on April 27, 2021, has so far covered a third of Nairobi's land.
The Ministry has completed digitisation in Nairobi and Muranga Counties, with Isiolo set to follow in a month. The process is currently underway in Mombasa County.
"The government is collaborating with 27 counties to expedite the digitisation process," Wahome stated. "I estimated that we might need another five years to complete the work if funding is properly availed."
The cost of this project which has been ongoing for three years now, is projected to be between Ksh35 billion and Ksh40 billion. The project aims to address widespread issues of missing files and fraudulent land transactions.
"Cartels have reached a point where they don’t respect title deeds, and sadly, in numerous cases, ministry officers have been complicit in procuring such fraudulent titles," Wahome lamented.
Wahome, who previously served as the Cabinet Secretary for Water, Sanitation, and Irrigation under President William Ruto's administration, attributed her wealth to joint assets with her husband in 2022.
She emphasised the importance of integrity in the digitisation process, remarking, "The Ardhi Sasa digitisation system within the Ministry of Lands is meant to bring efficiency, secure land records, and ensure the security of the records is protected with integrity."
The digitisation effort aims to implement Sections 9 and 10 of the Land Registration Act, 2012. Section 9 mandates the Registrar of Lands to maintain registers and documents in a secure and accessible electronic format, while Section 10 ensures public access to this information through electronic means.
The digitisation process involves creating a Document Management System (DMS) for all approved physical development plans and developing a system for managing land title documents.
This includes scanning, indexing, and archiving deed files and land rent cards, among other processes. Last year, the ministry disclosed that it had digitised land records for over 100,000 properties and uploaded them to a digital platform, allowing owners to submit surrender petitions online.
