The process of constituting the third National Land Commission (NLC) has officially begun, following President William Ruto’s appointment of a seven-member selection panel that will spearhead the recruitment of new commissioners.
In a Gazette Notice dated February 15, 2025, President Ruto announced the establishment of the panel, which will oversee the replacement of NLC Chairperson Gershom Otachi Omwanwa and six commissioners whose six-year tenure ends on November 15. The exiting members are James Tuitoek, Getrude Nguku, Reginald Okumu, Samwel Kambi, Hubbie Al-Haji, and Alister Mutugi.
Two commissioners, Esther Murugi and Tiya Galgalo, will however continue to serve until December 2026, having joined the commission later in December 2020.
The newly named selection panel comprises Jasper Mbiuki from the Office of the President, Peris Mang’ira representing the Ministry of Lands, NGO representatives Dr. Electine Nasambu and Anne Mwangangi, Bibiana Ribuku Omalla representing the private sector, Nichola Letting from the Professional Societies of East Africa, and National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC) chairperson Rehema Jaldesa.
According to the National Land Commission Act, the Public Service Commission (PSC) is mandated to convene the first meeting of the panel, during which members will elect a chairperson. Within seven days of this meeting, the panel is required to advertise the vacancies in at least two newspapers of national circulation to invite applications from qualified candidates.
The NLC, established under the 2010 Constitution, is tasked with managing public land on behalf of the national and county governments, advising on land policy, and resolving historical land injustices. Since its inception, the commission has played a critical role in land reforms, albeit amid controversies and leadership wrangles.
The inaugural commission, chaired by Prof. Muhammad Swazuri, assumed office on February 27, 2013, and exited in November 2019. It was succeeded by the current team led by Gershom Otachi, which is now preparing to hand over after completing its constitutional mandate.
The upcoming recruitment process is expected to attract significant public interest, given the central role land plays in Kenya’s economic, social, and political spheres.
