The National Land Commission (NLC) has elected Julie Oseko as its new vice chairperson, a day after seven commissioners took office and formally reconstituted the body.

The election took place on Tuesday, March 24, during the commission’s first plenary meeting in Nairobi. It marked the commission’s first statutory task following the swearing-in ceremony held at the Supreme Court on Monday.

In a statement, Chairperson Abdillahi Saggaf Alawy said the process followed the Constitution and relevant laws, which require commissioners to elect a vice chairperson of the opposite gender at their first sitting.

“The election was conducted in a cordial and collegial environment, reflecting the Commission’s shared commitment to teamwork, integrity, and service to the people of Kenya,” Alawy said.

He congratulated Oseko on her appointment and expressed confidence in her leadership during her six-year term.

The development comes as the NLC begins work with a fully constituted team for the first time since the appointment of its third cohort of commissioners. The seven new members joined Esther Mathenge Murugi and Tiyah Galgalo, who were already in office.

During Monday’s swearing-in, Alawy said the commission understood the weight of its mandate, noting that land remains one of the most sensitive issues in the country.

“As we take the oath of office, we are fully aware of the expectations that Kenyans have of the National Land Commission,” he said. “Land touches on livelihoods, development, investment, environmental sustainability, and social justice.”

He added that the commission would carry out its duties with “integrity, professionalism, transparency, and fairness”.

SGR land process begins

The commission has already moved to act on key national projects. At the same meeting where it elected the vice chairperson, it approved the publication of a Gazette Notice to begin the process of acquiring land for the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) Phase 2B.

The planned section will run from Naivasha to Kisumu and forms part of the government’s wider transport infrastructure plan. The approval clears the way for the formal land acquisition process, which is a critical step before construction can begin.

Alawy said the decision showed the commission’s readiness to start work immediately.

“The Commission is fully constituted and has already begun discharging its mandate without delay,” he said. “The swift approval of the SGR land acquisition notice ensures that this vital transport corridor remains on schedule.”

The NLC plays a central role in land administration in Kenya. Its mandate includes managing public land on behalf of national and county governments, advising on land policy, and reviewing grants and dispositions of public land.

With its leadership now in place, the commission says it will focus on improving transparency and efficiency while protecting land rights.

Alawy said the new team would prioritise resolving long-standing land issues across the country.