Uhuru nominates Nairobi lawyer to replace Swazuri as NLC chair

President Uhuru Kenyatta has nominated Nairobi lawyer Gershom Otachi to be the new National Land Commission (NLC) chairperson.

Mr. Otachi is a partner at Ogeto, Otachi and Co. Advocates and has vast experience in international criminal law.

He was part of the legal team that represented former Police Commissioner Major General (Rtd) Mohammed Hussein Ali, when he had been implicated at the Hague-based ICC over crimes against humanity, but was later acquitted.

The President on Monday also nominated nine members to the commission.

They include former Labour CS Kazungu Kambi, former Nyeri Town MP Esther Murugi, Prof. James K. Tuitoek, Getrude Nduku Nguku, Reginald Okumu, Hubbie Hussein Al-Haji, Alister Murimi Mutugi and Former Isiolo Woman Rep Tiya Galgalo.

If approved by the Lands Committee and the National Assembly, Otachi will take over from his predecessor Muhammad Swazuri whose six-year term came to an end in February.

Lawyer Otachi was among 11 other individuals who expressed interest and were short-listed for the NLC chairperson’s job.

Others included: Mwenda Makathimo (Executive Director of the Land Development & Governance Institute); Naomi Wagereka (former Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Chairperson); Robert Kilimo, Patrick Adolowa, Humphrey Njuguna, Paul Wambua, Tiyah Ali (Isiolo County MP) and Gershom Bw’Omanwa.

National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi has since confirmed receiving a letter containing the names from the President.

“Standing Order 45 requires that upon receipt of notification of nomination for appointments such nominations shall stand committed to the relevant departmental committee,” said Muturi in his communication to the Assembly.