Attendees of a public participation workshop on the Land Laws (Amendment) Bill 2023 are now calling for a review of the proposed new land rates which they term unrealistic.
The participants drawn from Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Murang’a, Samburu, Nyandarua and Laikipia want the Government to raise the charges by 20 to 30 per cent claiming the proposed new changes have been hiked by almost 300 per cent.
Among rates that have elicited uproar from the public include a proposal to increase the fee for application of an official land search from Sh500 to Sh2, 000 and consultation fee for those seeking professional advice on physical planning matters to pay Sh5000 per hour for such services.
Those who wish to undertake a topographical survey will now be required to part with Sh30, 000 up from Sh15, 000 while surveyors intending to apply for a practicing license will now be required to pay Sh20, 000 if the new bill becomes law.
The Bill proposes to amend among others: the Registration of Documents Act, the Land Control Act, the Land Registration Act, 2012, The Land Act, 2012, The Community Land Act, 2016 and the Sectional Properties Act, 2020.
Bishop Daniel Kiragu from Laikipia claims the new rates are too high at a time Kenyans are feeling the pinch of the high cost of living and submitted that the new rates should be pegged on a figure that will not hurt the ordinary person.
He explained that increasing the amount of money one will be charged before he can access a service in a land office will be akin to leaving helpless Kenyans who are barely making it by to the mercy of rogue wheeler dealers and corrupt land officials.
“We feel Kenyans are already bearing the brunt of heavy taxation. Consequently, it is unacceptable for anyone to propose an increase of up to 2000 per cent for a government service and term such a public participation forum. The government is overtaxing its citizens and it’s therefore important to take cognizance of the complaints of the people. Even though we appear jovial and happy as we do our contributions here inside, we are hurting inside,” he told the forum.
On his part Stanley Ngechu who is a private surveyor from Nyeri proposed for the retention of Sh500 charge for those seeking an official land search terming the proposed Sh2, 000 unrealistic.
He also requested the Government to increase all the other proposed rates by between 20 and 30 percent noting that the majority of those visiting government offices to seek land documents are often people who are struggling at the bottom of the economic pyramid.
“The charges you are proposing in order for one to get an official land search are too high and I wish to propose that we have an increase of between 20 or 30 per cent. Alternatively, let the charges for a land search remain at Sh500,” Ngechu submitted.
His sentiments were supported by Eston Gathima from Murang’a County who said charges for an official land search should remain at Sh500.
However, for Annete Rogers, a private surveyor from Nyeri, hiking fees for those intending to get a practicing certificate would prove counterproductive as many young people may ditch the profession for other careers.
She said for a government intending to create more jobs for youths, increasing fees for a practicing license fee would only end up denying the young people an opportunity to earn a living at a time many graduates are jobless.
“I wish to propose that the fee of applying for certificates for certified surveyors to be retained at Sh10, 000 and not Sh20, 000. Doubling this figure would only make it hard for those intending to launch a career in this field. We must ensure our young people graduating from colleges do not get it tough when they come out to start their career,” she advised.
Earlier on, Weldon Maritim, Director of Survey at the Ministry of Lands, Public Works, and Housing and Urban Development said the Government was working round the clock to ensure all services being provided by the Ministry are consolidated under a digital format.
Maritim said this has been made possible through the launch of the National Land Management System portals where members of the public can access all services related to land at the click of a button.
He noted that while the majority of the services being offered by the Ministry remain analogue, they plan to ditch paperwork for digital platforms to ensure speedy and enhanced service delivery to the people.
“Under the National Land Management System, we want to make sure the public can undertake all land transactions from the comfort of their seats. Digitization of all land services is already underway and this will in addition ensure easier collection of Government revenue and consequently seal all corruption loopholes. This is why we need some legislation to help address some of the challenges that have hindered delivery of efficient services to the public over the years,” he pointed out.
By Samuel Maina
