Stick to rule of law in discharging your mandate, Mwilu tells new lands boss

Incoming Chief Executive Officer of National Land Commission (NLC) Kabale Tache took the oath of office yesterday in a ceremony that was officiated by Deputy Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu.

She has been holding the office in an acting capacity for close to four years.

Tache noted that an enormous task lies ahead of her as she assumes office at a time when the country is undergoing land reforms.

She assured that she is up to the task promising to perform her duties faithfully, diligently and without fear or favour for the benefit of all Commission stakeholders.

“I promise to lead by example in all areas including but not limited to high productivity culture, good governance and inculcation of a sense of teamwork. I will continue with the progress that has already been made by my predecessors and strengthen the partnerships both with State and non-State actors in discharging the functions of my office,” Tache emphasised.

Tache, who was born in Saku, Marsabit county to a peasant family, is the first woman to be appointed to a Chief Executive Officer position of a public institution from the Borana community.

 Tache said she will work closely with Judiciary, Parliament and Executive as she builds on the success already made in the land sector urging the citizenry, to extend to the Commission their undivided support to enable it to deliver on its critical mandate.

Commission chairman Gershom Otachi said that Tache was appointed through a competitive and rigorous process which had a total of 172 applicants where seven were shortlisted for interviews.

Undue influence

Otachi said that Tache has a solid understanding of the commission’s mandate having worked in an acting position since 2018 and thus best placed to steer the secretariat ahead.

While urging the new CEO to stick to the rule of law in discharging her duties, deputy chief justice Mwilu told Tache to shun undue influence from anybody or any authority.

“Article 249 of the constitution states that Commissions are subject only to the Constitution and the law, and are independent and not subject to direction or control by any person or authority,” Mwilu said.

She added; “Consider the honour that has been bestowed upon you to serve the people of Kenya; keep the provisions of Art. 249 and the oath you have sworn here today as your unequivocal true North.”