MPs order probe into Lands ministry fraud
By Mercy Mwai, July 24, 2025MPs have directed the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) land fraud office to investigate two decades-old land disputes within two months, accusing senior Ministry of Lands officials of abetting corruption and fraud.
Lawmakers on the Committee on Implementation made this decision after the ministry failed to resolve the disputes, claiming this inaction prevents the resolution of land cases filed by Kenyans.
The first petition, filed by a former Embakasi West MP on behalf of Mowlem Ward residents, concerns the alleged irregular allocation of land LR. NO. 11379/3.
The second involves Public Petition No. 004 of 2021 by former Magarini MP Michael Kingi regarding the irregular extension of the Galana Ranch boundary.
Frustrated by the ministry’s inaction, MPs directed the DCI to investigate both disputes and submit a report within two months.
At a meeting with officials from the ministry, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), and the DCI, committee session chair and Embakasi West MP Mark Mwenje expressed concern about numerous unresolved cases potentially undermining public confidence in title deeds.
“If we continue with this trend, people will not respect the deeds soon, even as the ministry continues issuing them. The ministry must protect the sanctity of title deeds at all costs,” Mwenje said.
He cited the ministry’s failure to prevent fraudulent issuing of titles: “The responsibility of issuing title deeds lies with the Ministry of Lands. I have copies of several titles here fraudulently issued by the ministry officials. Why have you allowed the public to continue being conned into buying this piece of land?”
Historical land injustices
Mombasa Woman Rep Zamzam Mohammed lamented the Coast region’s historical land injustices: “Why are there so many cases of land and also no response granted by the ministry? Up to date, the National Land Commission (NLC) is also playing hide-and-seek on this matter.”
Kipkelion West MP Hilary Kosgei called the ministry’s response “very unconvincing” and pushed for DCI intervention: “Could we have the serious land fraud office at the DCI take up the matter?”
However, Chief Land Registration Officer David Nyandoro defended the ministry, citing the issuing of over 20,000 coastal titles in the past year.
He redirected responsibility to the NLC, DCI, and EACC, arguing these bodies are “best placed to provide a status update”.
The Mowlem land originally belonged to M/S Khan Nawaz, Khan Abbas, and Mehdi Khan. Five individuals were appointed to represent 225 prospective buyers.
Regarding Magarini, EACC Secretary Abdi Mahmoud (pictured)confirmed the commission advised the ministry in 2021 against admitting mapping and survey work in adjudication sections overlapping Galana Ranch Block 1/1.