Murang’a has become the second county after Nairobi to operationalize digital land records.
On Monday, Lands Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome launched the National Land Management System in the county, allowing local residents to access services in the local land registry through a digital platform.
Wahome lauded the system, dubbed Ardhisasa, promising that it will address the numerous challenges and problems that have plagued the land sector for many years.
She noted that the Ardhisasa platform will strengthen the security of land tenure in Murang’a, as it is designed to eliminate human interference with land ownership records.
The Lands Ministry, Wahome said, aims to ensure that the platform becomes accessible in all parts of the country within the shortest possible time frame.
She noted that with the operationalization of the Ardhisasa digital platform, residents will be able to conduct transactions without falling victim to brokers and cartels that have tarnished the reputation of land registries.
The CS encouraged all landowners to register and open an account on the platform, adding that staff will be deployed at the registry to assist the public with account creation.
Since the digitization process began in 2021 at the Murang’a land registry, 387,635 registers and 269,694 files have been successfully scanned, with records transmitted to the land data center in Nairobi.
Wahome further mentioned that the ministry has incorporated a fingerprint module to accommodate individuals unable to write.
Meanwhile, the CS promised to address land injustices, particularly those involving land-buying companies.
Citing the Kihiu Mwiri land settlement in Gatanga Sub County, Wahome said the ministry would deploy professionals to conduct surveys and validate information to ensure rightful land ownership for affected residents.
Lands Principal Secretary Nixon Korir emphasized the government’s reforms to streamline land transactions in the country.
He affirmed that cartels and brokers who have long defrauded residents seeking services in land registries are being eliminated.
Korir also promised to advocate for the establishment of a land registry in Murang’a South to serve residents of Kandara, Gatanga, Maragua, Kigumo, and Ithanga sub-counties.
The event at the county land registry was attended by local MPs who called upon the CS to address land-grabbing issues affecting public utilities.
Maragua MP Mary Wamaua highlighted the encroachment on land belonging to schools, health centres, and forests, urging action against those responsible.
