President William Ruto has immediately reduced the powers of the National Land Commission (NLC).
Ruto stated during a Thanksgiving ceremony in Isiolo that there was widespread corruption within the NLC, particularly during the compensation process.
“In my government, I have directed that there will be no form of corruption.”
“As a result, I have instructed that the NLC will no longer be involved in land compensation evaluation,” Ruto stated.
Ruto mandated that only the Ministry of Lands be given the authority to conduct land evaluations for fair compensation.
“I want the NLC to pay close attention to me because that is where corruption is prevalent.” Someone pays a bribe, and a property worth Ksh100,000 is appraised at Ksh1 million; if you do not pay, your property is undervalued.”
“That must stop immediately,” Ruto said as he read the riot act to the NLC.
Ruto also disclosed that the NLC was dishonest in how it arrived at its figures while developing compensation packages.
“If you valued a land at Ksh5 six years ago, how can that now be reduced to Ksh2?” the President pondered.
Ruto stated that his administration was committed to ensuring that the law applied equally to all Kenyans.
“In the future, it is not possible for NLC to decide where compensation will take place, who will be compensated, and how much compensation will be paid.”
“For accountability, we must separate powers.” “The NLC will work on their mandate, and the Ministry of Lands will handle valuation,” Ruto said, while reducing NLC authority.
