National Assembly Committee Directs National Land Commission to Settle Voi NTSA Land Dispute Within 180 Days
Quote from Lawyer on April 27, 2026, 10:02 amThe National Assembly’s Public Investments Committee on Governance and Education has instructed the National Land Commission to urgently address and resolve a prolonged dispute concerning a six-acre parcel of land in Voi Town designated for the National Transport and Safety Authority motor vehicle inspection centre.
The directive comes amid ongoing encroachment by squatters, competing ownership claims, active court proceedings, and significant delays in advancing the critical public project.
The land in question was originally set aside for public use in 1969. It was first allocated to the Kenya Police Service before being transferred to the National Transport and Safety Authority. Despite its intended purpose, the site is now occupied by squatters who have constructed various structures there. The occupants have also filed court cases to prevent any eviction attempts, with the National Land Commission named as one of the parties in the litigation.
During a fact-finding visit to Voi Town, members of the committee emphasized the need for the National Land Commission to thoroughly investigate the legitimacy of all competing claims. They ordered the commission to submit clear recommendations within 180 days, aligning with an existing court directive that requires resolution of the matter.
A key element in the standoff involves a proposal from the Taita Taveta County Government. The county has offered to provide an alternative parcel of land of equal size to the National Transport and Safety Authority in exchange for releasing the contested site to the current occupants. However, this suggestion has sparked extensive debate regarding ownership details, proper documentation, and the overall suitability of the proposed alternative land.
Committee members expressed strong concerns over these issues. They questioned whether the suggested replacement parcel is adequate and sufficiently documented for the intended use. One member highlighted the presence of other public facilities in the area, including a stadium and a showground, and asked if the site could realistically accommodate the National Transport and Safety Authority centre without compromising other needs.
Other legislators stressed that any land transaction must be supported by verifiable legal documentation. They insisted that ownership must be clearly established through valid title deeds, warning that proceeding without such proof lacks any legal foundation. Concerns were also raised about inconsistencies in land parcels previously presented to the National Transport and Safety Authority, prompting calls for immediate clarification and verification of all records.
Officials from the National Transport and Safety Authority described the broader challenges they face in securing suitable land for inspection centres across the country. They noted repeated frustrations during searches, where encumbrances frequently emerge and complicate planning. According to the authority, only two out of 15 designated parcels currently hold valid title deeds, even as the organization manages assets valued at Sh1.69 billion.
Representatives from the Taita Taveta County Government stated that an alternative parcel has been identified and is currently undergoing regularisation processes. They confirmed ongoing engagement with all relevant stakeholders to ensure the entire procedure remains lawful and transparent.
The National Land Commission indicated that it is actively implementing the court directive. This involves a detailed investigation into the original allocation, any surrender, and subsequent transfer processes related to the land. The commission is tasked with determining the validity of the competing claims and providing a resolution framework within the specified 180-day period.
This intervention by the parliamentary committee aims to break the deadlock that has stalled the development of the motor vehicle inspection centre in Voi Town. A timely and fair resolution is expected to facilitate the National Transport and Safety Authority project while addressing the concerns of all parties involved, including legitimate public land use, occupant rights, and county government proposals.
The National Assembly’s Public Investments Committee on Governance and Education has instructed the National Land Commission to urgently address and resolve a prolonged dispute concerning a six-acre parcel of land in Voi Town designated for the National Transport and Safety Authority motor vehicle inspection centre.
The directive comes amid ongoing encroachment by squatters, competing ownership claims, active court proceedings, and significant delays in advancing the critical public project.
The land in question was originally set aside for public use in 1969. It was first allocated to the Kenya Police Service before being transferred to the National Transport and Safety Authority. Despite its intended purpose, the site is now occupied by squatters who have constructed various structures there. The occupants have also filed court cases to prevent any eviction attempts, with the National Land Commission named as one of the parties in the litigation.
During a fact-finding visit to Voi Town, members of the committee emphasized the need for the National Land Commission to thoroughly investigate the legitimacy of all competing claims. They ordered the commission to submit clear recommendations within 180 days, aligning with an existing court directive that requires resolution of the matter.
A key element in the standoff involves a proposal from the Taita Taveta County Government. The county has offered to provide an alternative parcel of land of equal size to the National Transport and Safety Authority in exchange for releasing the contested site to the current occupants. However, this suggestion has sparked extensive debate regarding ownership details, proper documentation, and the overall suitability of the proposed alternative land.
Committee members expressed strong concerns over these issues. They questioned whether the suggested replacement parcel is adequate and sufficiently documented for the intended use. One member highlighted the presence of other public facilities in the area, including a stadium and a showground, and asked if the site could realistically accommodate the National Transport and Safety Authority centre without compromising other needs.
Other legislators stressed that any land transaction must be supported by verifiable legal documentation. They insisted that ownership must be clearly established through valid title deeds, warning that proceeding without such proof lacks any legal foundation. Concerns were also raised about inconsistencies in land parcels previously presented to the National Transport and Safety Authority, prompting calls for immediate clarification and verification of all records.
Officials from the National Transport and Safety Authority described the broader challenges they face in securing suitable land for inspection centres across the country. They noted repeated frustrations during searches, where encumbrances frequently emerge and complicate planning. According to the authority, only two out of 15 designated parcels currently hold valid title deeds, even as the organization manages assets valued at Sh1.69 billion.
Representatives from the Taita Taveta County Government stated that an alternative parcel has been identified and is currently undergoing regularisation processes. They confirmed ongoing engagement with all relevant stakeholders to ensure the entire procedure remains lawful and transparent.
The National Land Commission indicated that it is actively implementing the court directive. This involves a detailed investigation into the original allocation, any surrender, and subsequent transfer processes related to the land. The commission is tasked with determining the validity of the competing claims and providing a resolution framework within the specified 180-day period.
This intervention by the parliamentary committee aims to break the deadlock that has stalled the development of the motor vehicle inspection centre in Voi Town. A timely and fair resolution is expected to facilitate the National Transport and Safety Authority project while addressing the concerns of all parties involved, including legitimate public land use, occupant rights, and county government proposals.