MPs reject Uhurus nominee to the National Land Commission

Members of Parliament have rejected the nomination of Former Isiolo Woman Representative Tiyah Galgalo to the National Land Commission (NLC) over falsified tax declarations.

Galgalo was among nine nominees picked by President Uhuru Kenyatta to be vetted by the National Assembly Lands committee for appointment to the NLC.

After vetting all the nine nominees, the committee chaired by Kitui South MP Rachael Nyamai recommended that the House approves the other eight nominees apart from Galgalo.

The approved nominees include ; Mr. Gershom Otachi (Chairman) and Ms. Esther Murugi, Prof. James Tuitoek, Ms. Gertrude Nguku, Mr. Reginald Okumu, Mr. Kazungu Kambi, Ms. Hubbie Al-Haji and Mr. Alister Mutugi as members to the land commission.

Tax compliance is a key qualification for appointment to constitutional commissions and independent bodies, but the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) returned a negative verdict in Galgalo’s case.

In a letter to the National Assembly Lands committee, KRA also said that investigations were underway into her 2017 and 2018 tax returns.

The tax authority withdrew a compliance certificate irregularly issued to Galgalo on the October 23, 2018. Internal disciplinary action is also being taken against officers who issued it.

A source in the lands committee disclosed that Galgalo’s questionable tax returns had aroused interest from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

KRA is expected to summon Galgalo for questioning over transactions she did.