Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah has formally petitioned the Senate to investigate what he describes as irregular development of Affordable Housing projects on public and community land, warning that the programme risks becoming “a cover for land grabbing.”
In a request for a statement submitted to the Senate Standing Committee on Land, Environment and Natural Resources, Omtatah cited findings from the Auditor‑General’s report, which allegedly flagged several housing projects for lacking proper land ownership documentation and failing to follow legal procedures on allocation and public participation.
“Affordable housing cannot become a cover for land grabbing. The Auditor‑General has flagged projects built on public and community land without proper ownership records, legal processes, or public participation. Kenyans deserve answers,” Omtatah stated.
According to Omtatah, the reported irregularities contravene multiple constitutional provisions, including Articles 10, 40, 60, 62 and 63, which safeguard national values, property rights and land management. He further argued that the projects may have breached the Land Act, Land Registration Act, Community Land Act, Public Finance Management Act, and the Physical and Land Use Planning Act.
Omtatah pointed to what he termed “systemic lapses” within implementing agencies, including the State Department for Housing and Urban Development and the National Land Commission, accusing them of failing to enforce due process.
In his request, Omtatah asked the committee to provide a comprehensive register of all Affordable Housing projects flagged by the Auditor‑General, detailing their locations, implementation status, and legal ownership. He also demanded clarification on whether lawful allocation, reservation, or conservation procedures were followed, particularly in cases involving community land.
ALSO READ:
Housing among biggest winners as MPs approve 2026/27 budget estimates
The senator further pressed for details on compliance with constitutional requirements for public participation and consent and sought explanations on steps taken to regularise land ownership through issuance of valid titles or leasehold interests to secure beneficiaries’ rights.
Additionally, Omtatah called for disclosure of actions taken against culpable officers or entities and measures being implemented to ensure future compliance with land laws, planning standards and public finance regulations. He also questioned whether oversight agencies such as the Ethics and Anti‑Corruption Commission (EACC) had initiated investigations and requested updates on their progress.
By Masaki Enock
Get more stories from our website: Sacco Review.
For comments and clarifications, write to: Saccoreview@
Kindly follow us via our social media pages on Facebook: Sacco Review Newspaper for timely updates
Stay ahead of the pack! Grab the latest Sacco Review newspaper!
