Parliament Approves Law Mandating Public Land Registration Notices in Kenya Gazette
On August 14, 2025, Kenya's National Assembly approved a significant amendment to the Land (Amendment) Bill (National Assembly Bill No. 40 of 2022), mandating that all transactions involving public land must be publicly announced in the Kenya Gazette before registration can be completed. This legislative move, which incorporates a Senate amendment, marks a pivotal step toward strengthening accountability and transparency in the management of public land across the country. The bill, sponsored by Ruiru MP Simon King’ara, now awaits the assent of President William Ruto to become law.
The newly approved amendment requires the land registrar to publish a notice in the Kenya Gazette, specifying the particulars of any public land transaction, as outlined under Clause 5 of the proposed sub-section (16). This measure aims to address longstanding issues of fraudulent land allocations and irregular dealings that have plagued Kenya’s public land management for decades. By ensuring public disclosure, the law seeks to create a permanent and accessible record of transactions, foster informed public participation, and reduce the risk of fraudulent activities.
The passage of this bill follows its initial approval by the National Assembly on March 20, 2024, after which it was forwarded to the Senate for further deliberation. The Senate’s amendment, which introduced the mandatory gazette notice requirement, was adopted by the National Assembly, reflecting a collaborative effort between the two legislative bodies to tackle corruption in land dealings. The National Assembly emphasized that this amendment is a critical tool in combating fraud and unlawful allocations, ensuring that citizens are kept informed about government-related land transactions.
Recent cases highlight the urgency of such reforms. On August 1, 2025, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission successfully recovered public land valued at Sh104 million in Mombasa, which had been unlawfully acquired by a former Coast Province Physical Planner. The land, originally owned by the Kenya Airports Authority, was reclaimed following a ruling by the Environment and Land Court. Similarly, land belonging to Kenya Railways in Mombasa County was recovered after years of illegal allocation to private individuals. These incidents underscore the need for stricter oversight and transparency, which the new law aims to provide.
The amendment is expected to safeguard public land, minimize disputes, and enhance public trust in land management processes. By requiring gazette publication, the law ensures that details of public land transactions are accessible to all, enabling citizens to scrutinize and challenge suspicious dealings. This move aligns with broader efforts to curb corruption and promote good governance in Kenya’s land sector, which has historically been a hotspot for irregularities.
As the bill moves to President Ruto for assent, stakeholders anticipate that its implementation will usher in a new era of accountability. The requirement for public notices in the Kenya Gazette is seen as a practical step toward ensuring that public land, a critical national resource, is managed with the utmost integrity and in the best interest of Kenyan citizens.