Community Land Bill undermining reforms NLC

The National Land Commission (NLC) now wants the controversial Community Land Bill 2015 withdrawn.

NLC chair Mohammed Swazuri said the Bill, which is being pushed by the National Government, will not only render the commission toothless but also cripple land reforms.

This comes even as the National Assembly gears up to debate on the Bill which is already in the second reading stage.

NLC and other stakeholders argue that powers previously vested in the lands commission will be relapsed to the Cabinet Secretary for Lands, Housing and Urban Development.

The NLC is protesting that its mandate to manage public land on behalf of the national and county governments is anchored firmly in the Constitution of Kenya 2010.

Speaking to journalists after a closed door meeting with a section of Coast MP’s to discuss the controversial Bill in a Mombasa hotel, Suwazuri warned that if not stopped, the matter will soon end up in court.

“After many years of fighting for devolution under a new constitution, powers are slowly being snatched from ordinary Kenyans and taken back to the national government,” said Swazuri.

It is this Bill that has seen a section of Coast MPs convene urgent meetings that are aimed at stopping Parliament from approving it.

The MPs have termed it as unconstitutional and one that is intended to centralize the administration of the community land by scrapping off the 47 county land management boards.

Swazuri intimated that the Bill was allegedly introduced by the government with an aim of rendering his commission redundant.

NLC is also accusing the national government of undermining reforms in the land sector by introducing fake legislations that only gives more powers to the Cabinet Secretary in charge of the docket.