Members of the National Assembly’s Public Investments Committee on Governance and Education, who recently conducted a fact-finding mission to Voi Town. Photo by PBU. 
By Andrew Mbuva.
A parliamentary watchdog committee has directed the National Land Commission (NLC) to urgently facilitate the recovery of a six-acre parcel in Voi Municipality that had been reserved for a motor vehicle inspection centre by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), but is currently occupied by squatters.
The land, originally set aside for public use in 1969 and first allocated to the Kenya Police Service before being transferred to NTSA, has since been encroached upon. Unauthorized occupants have erected structures on the site and moved to court to block eviction efforts.
The matter is now before the courts, with the NLC listed as a key party. Meanwhile, the Taita Taveta County Government has proposed allocating NTSA an alternative parcel of equal size in exchange for relinquishing the contested land to the current occupants, citing public interest considerations.
However, members of the National Assembly’s Public Investments Committee on Governance and Education, who recently conducted a fact-finding mission to Voi Town, insisted the matter must be conclusively handled by the NLC. The commission has already been directed by the court to determine the legitimacy of competing claims and recommend a resolution within 180 days.
The committee’s deliberations exposed deep divisions over the proposed alternative land, with lawmakers raising concerns about ownership, encumbrances, and its legal status.
Kasipul MP and committee vice chairperson Boyd Were questioned the suitability of the alternative site, noting competing land uses in the area.
“Is the land sufficient? We already have a stadium and a showground, and now NTSA is to be accommodated there. Is it adequate?” he posed.
The concerns come in the wake of an audit query by the Auditor-General highlighting inconsistencies in NTSA’s property records for the 2024/2025 financial year. The authority reported assets worth Sh1.69 billion, including Sh264.7 million in land and buildings, yet only two of 15 parcels earmarked for inspection centres have valid title deeds.
NTSA officials acknowledged longstanding challenges in securing ownership of the Voi land.
“We have been frustrated. Our board has been frustrated,” said Eng. Joel Opere.
“Every time we do a search, we find encumbrances. You don’t know whether to proceed. As custodians of public property, we must act with certainty,” he added.
Lawmakers also flagged inconsistencies surrounding the alternative parcel. Igembe Central MP Daniel Karitho noted discrepancies between land previously presented to NTSA and the current proposal.
“The land you are showing us today is not the same as what was initially presented to NTSA. That is not fair. The governor must intervene personally to resolve this matter,” he said.
Central Imenti MP Moses Kirima questioned ownership claims over the land, emphasizing the need for proper documentation.
“To prove ownership of this 50-acre parcel, where is the title deed? Ownership of property is anchored on documentation; without it, there is no ownership,” he said.
He further raised concerns about potential legal challenges from private entities, including the Vide Multipurpose Cooperative Society, once development begins.
Kilome MP Thaddeus Nzambia underscored the importance of due process.
“Without proper documentation, that is not your property. Make it legally yours first,” he stated.
County officials led by Governor Andrew Mwadime confirmed that an alternative parcel had been identified. Lands CEC Elizabeth Mkongo said the county is working to regularise the process.
“We have planned the land and are working towards transferring it appropriately. We are engaging all stakeholders to ensure a lawful and transparent process,” she said.
The NLC, however, cautioned that any resolution must strictly adhere to legal procedures. Vice-Chairperson Dr. Julia Oseko affirmed that the commission is implementing the court directive.
“The court directed the commission to determine the propriety of the claims and make recommendations on resettlement within 180 days. That is exactly what we are doing,” she said.
NLC Director of Legal Affairs Brian Ikol added that investigations are ongoing, focusing on allocation, surrender, and transfer processes.
“We must consider all processes, including allocation, surrender and transfer of public land. These are legal procedures that fall squarely within the commission’s mandate,” he said.
The dispute highlights broader challenges facing public land management, as competing claims, weak documentation, and encroachment continue to complicate government projects across the country.
