The Nyandarua County Commissioner (CC), Boaz Cherutich has warned the area county assembly against interfering with operations at the land registry.
Chetutich noted that the assembly had no mandate or power to investigate the National land office as it falls under the jurisdiction of the national government.
“Land registry is a national government function and the move by the county assembly to ask for a public inquiry on the state of operations in the registry to investigate claims of poor service delivery is against the law,” noted Cherutich, saying that they could only work together to streamline services and not conduct a probe.
This follows a move by the Nyandarua assembly to seek a public inquiry on the state of operation at the land office to conduct a probe on alleged poor service delivery.
However, according to Cherutich, the Ministry of Lands through its Cabinet Secretary had earlier sent a team to carry out investigation into the allegations that later prescribed recommendations.
“There have been challenges with the registry and three months ago, the Cabinet Secretary sent a team to conduct a probe into the way service was delivered at the land registry.
“Among the recommendations the team made was additional staff and already the government has deployed a deputy land registrar in the office,” said the administrator who was addressing residents of Tumaini during Mashujaa day celebrations.
He added that the team had also recommended provision of a vehicle in the registry and hiring of more staffs noting that plans were underway to meet the demands.
The CC at the same time, hailed the officers working in the registry, noting that they had been able to raise revenue collection to about Sh.1.7 million.
“Since this team took office, the land office has been able to up their revenue collection from the previous Sh.300, 000 to about Sh.2 million,” he said.
He however, called on the members of the public with a report on corruption allegations against the land officers to raise it with the authority.
The land office that renders service to Nyandarua and Samburu counties has been on the spot over allegations of poor service delivery with residents holding demonstrations calling for the immediate transfer of the land registrar Charles Aiyenda.
By Jesse Mwitwa
