MPs begin vetting Ruto’s NLC nominees as Saggaf appears for chairperson post

The vetting opened with Abdillahi Saggaf, the President’s nominee for NLC chairperson, who appeared before the committee to defend his credentials and outline his vision for the commission.

The commission's work includes streamlining land administration and addressing historical land injustices.

The session also heard from financial expert Susan Khakasa and Daniel Murithii, with other nominees expected to face scrutiny including Vincent Kigen Cheruiyot, Julie Ouma Oseko, Mohamed Abdi Haji and Mary Seneta.

As the nominees undergo parliamentary scrutiny, attention has also shifted to the commission’s institutional capacity — particularly the NLC Secretariat led by Chief Executive Officer Kabale Tache — which is expected to support the incoming commissioners.

Tache has led the secretariat since 2018, first as acting CEO before being confirmed in June 2023, and oversees day-to-day management and technical coordination of the commission’s work.

The secretariat comprises a multidisciplinary team of professionals, including surveyors, land administrators and managers, valuers, land use planners, natural resource experts and legal practitioners.

It provides technical expertise, research, policy analysis and operational support required for the commission to deliver its constitutional mandate under the Constitution of Kenya, 2010 and relevant land laws.

The commission has also developed internal structures and operational frameworks — including functional directorates, technical committees, standard operating procedures and policy guidelines — intended to guide decision-making and support consistency in implementing its mandates.

Officials say these systems are expected to help new commissioners integrate quickly and effectively execute oversight and policy roles.

Tache is credited with spearheading reforms aimed at strengthening internal governance, improving efficiency and rebuilding the commission’s credibility amid past scrutiny.

Key functions supported by the secretariat include managing public land on behalf of national and county governments, overseeing land use planning, processing compulsory acquisitions for public projects, renewing and extending leases, and handling historical land injustice claims.