In the wake of increased allegations of corruption at the Ministry of Lands, Cabinet Secretary Farida Karoney took action to streamline the sector.
In a statement posted by the CS on Twitter, she announced that the Nairobi and Central registries will remain closed from Monday, February 24 to Friday, March 13.
Karoney indicated that the temporary closure was made to give way for an audit process for key documents that lay at the ministry that needed special attention.
“The Ministry of Lands and Physical Planning is charged with the responsibility of facilitating transparent, accountable and efficient land administration and management.
“To realise this goal, the ministry is undertaking an audit of all land records in Nairobi City County. This is, therefore, to notify the general public, that both the Nairobi and Central registries, including the records registry and the banking hall, will be closed to the public from Monday, February 24 to Friday, March 13,” read the notice.
The CS further called for Kenyans to be patient as the ministry moved to ensure all things are run in the right manner.
“During this period, all services offered at Ardhi House in Nairobi will not be available. However, all other registries in the country will remain open.
“Normal business shall resume on Monday, March 16, 2020,” she added.
However, Karoney indicated that crucial documents that may be needed for legal proceedings would be available through special facilitation by the ministry.
“The ministry has appointed a manager to handle urgent documents that include court orders, bank charges and discharges.
“All documents which were pending in the two registries as of Friday, February 21, will be dispatched to the respective law firms from Wednesday, February 26,” added Karoney.
On February 2, Karoney issued a stern warning to land cartels in the country stating that their days were numbered and the ministry would catch up with them.
While addressing the media in Kisii County, Karoney indicated that there would be more revocations of fake titles in the coming days.
The CS added that 66 land registrars across the country would be reshuffled to improve service delivery.
Karoney further stated that a special legal committee would be set up to identify the roles of the national and county government on land survey matters.
