President William Ruto has officially gazetted Abdillahi Saggaf Alawy as chairperson of the National Land Commission (NLC), along with six new members, each appointed for a six-year term.

The appointments were published in the Kenya Gazette on Thursday, March 12, 2026, giving the nominations full legal effect. The appointments were made under Article 250(2)(c) of the Constitution, in line with Section 7(2) of the National Land Commission Act (Cap. 281), and were gazetted under Notice Nos. 3389 and 3390.

“In exercise of the powers conferred by Article 250 (2) (c) of the Constitution as read with Section 7 (2) of the National Land Commission and Paragraph 8 of the First Schedule to the Act, I, William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces, appoint Abdullahi Saggaff Alway (Dr) to be the Chairman of the National Land Commission for a term of six (6) years,” the gazette notice read in part.

“In exercise of the powers conferred by Article 250 (2) (c) of the Constitution as read with section 7 (2) of the National Land Commission and Paragraph 8 of the First Schedule to the Act, I, William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces, appoint Susan Kihika Oyatsi, Daniel Murithi Muiruri, Kigen Vincent Cheruiyot, Julie Ouma Oseko, (Dr) Mohamed Abdi Haji Mohamed, and Mary Jiane Sentei to be Members of the National Land Commission for a term of six (6) years,” the gazette notice added.

The new chairperson, Alawy, hails from Kwale County, while the six newly gazetted members include Susan Kihika Oyatsi from Kakamega County; Daniel Murithi Muiruri from Meru County; Kigen Vincent Cheruiyot from Kericho County; Dr Julie Ouma Oseko from Siaya County; Mohamed Abdi Haji Mohamed from Mandera County; and Mary Jiane Sentei from Kajiado County.

The gazettement follows the approval by the National Assembly as required by the Constitution, making the commission fully constituted and operational.

Role of NLC

The National Land Commission, established under Article 67 of the Constitution, is tasked with managing public land on behalf of the national and county governments. It advises on land policy, oversees land registration, conducts research on land and natural resources, and investigates historical or present land injustices, recommending appropriate redress.

The gazettement of the chairperson and members ensures that the NLC’s leadership is legally in place, allowing the commission to continue its vital role in land management and reform across Kenya.

Change of guard at NLC

The outgoing chairperson of the National Land Commission was Gershom Otachi.

Abdillahi Saggaf Alawy, now gazetted as the new chairperson, will take over from Otachi and is expected to continue the NLC’s mandate.