Nairobi: Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome has announced the government’s commitment to digitize all land-related records in the country by 2029. This initiative is intended to eradicate land-related corruption and fraud, thereby protecting public resources and enhancing service delivery.
According to Kenya News Agency, Wahome highlighted that the National Lands Management Information System (NLMIS), known as the ‘Ardhisasa system,’ is currently operational in Nairobi and Murang’a Counties. The government has earmarked Sh15 billion for the first phase of the digitization process and an additional Sh15 billion to complete it. Wahome emphasized that the digitization of all land registries is a crucial component of the ongoing lands reforms.
She explained that the digitization efforts aim to eliminate manual inefficiencies, reduce fraud, secure land records, and enhance transparency and access to information for all citizens. The process is not only about technological advancement but also about rebuilding trust in the sector. Wahome stated that the digitization is designed to modernize the sector and boost public confidence in its management.
During a surprise inspection of the Nakuru Lands Registry, Wahome issued a stern warning against corruption, inefficiency, and outdated practices that facilitate fraud. She has conducted similar inspections at various land registries, promoting accountability and the protection of public resources. The Cabinet Secretary noted that any loopholes enabling the loss of public funds must be sealed, and she reiterated the Ministry’s zero-tolerance policy on mismanagement.
Wahome disclosed that digitization at the Mombasa lands registry is 50 percent complete, with full completion expected soon for the Isiolo, Marsabit, and Machakos counties. For decades, Kenya’s land sector has faced challenges with inefficient manual processes and rampant fraud. The introduction of technology tools like blockchain, GIS, remote sensing, and drone technology is set to modernize land governance and ensure transparency and accountability.
Ardhisasa represents a shift from paper-based workflows to a transparent, secure online framework. It allows users to conduct land searches, apply for title deed transfers, and register charges entirely online, reducing dependency on physical visits to land offices. The system has been instrumental in addressing long-standing concerns around land fraud by enhancing traceability and data accuracy.
The Cabinet Secretary assured that the new system would expose fraudulent surveyors and uphold the integrity of land transactions. Developed with strict adherence to the law, the system aims to prevent illegal transactions and maintain the sanctity of land ownership. The digitalization process, which began in 2018, derives its legality from the Land Registration Act No. 3 of 2012 and the Land Registration (Electronic Transactions) Regulations, 2020.
Wahome noted that Kenya is moving away from old methods of doing business, embracing data innovation and technology for efficient governance. The introduction of the National Land Information System (NLIMS) has been successful in transforming paper-based records into E-Systems. The Ministry of Lands has also embraced FinTech, replacing cash payments with Mpesa mobile money services, further enhancing revenue collection efficiency.
