Uhuru-Era Land Cartel Regroups to Challenge Chief Lands Registrar Appointment

In a bold move to reclaim influence, the notorious land cartel from the Uhuru Kenyatta era is making headlines again.

Kenya Insights reports that this cartel, infamous for orchestrating massive land deals at the State Department for Lands and Physical Planning, is now backing a legal battle to appoint their preferred candidate as Chief Lands Registrar.

[Photo: Nairobi News]

Land Cartel Regroups to Regain the Influence It Enjoyed During Uhuru Kenyatta’s Era

During Uhuru Kenyatta’s presidency, the Lands Ministry faced numerous scandals involving billions of shillings.

A powerful cartel orchestrated these scandals, manipulating the system for their selfish gains.

Peter Mburu, their favored candidate for the Chief Lands Registrar position, had close connections with former Lands PS Nicholas Muranguri.

Despite these ties, the authorities initially rejected Mburu for the role. This rejection forced the cartel to reassess and devise a new strategy to achieve their objectives.

Determined to maintain their influence over the ministry, the cartel began maneuvering behind the scenes.

They lobbied key officials, used their extensive network to exert pressure, and sought alternative ways to install their candidate.

These efforts highlighted the cartel’s resilience and its commitment to protecting its interests within the ministry.

The ongoing corruption scandals underscored the significant challenges faced by the land ministry during this turbulent period, reflecting the pervasive corruption and the lengths to which this cartel would go to retain power.

Changes Under William Ruto’s Regime

Land Digitization as Land Cartel Regroups

The current Ruto administration’s digitization of land records has further complicated matters for the cartel, leading to their regrouping.

In a desperate bid to regain control, they financed Peter Mburu’s court challenge to secure the Chief Lands Registrar position.

Legal Battle and Court Rulings

Former Land PS Nicholas Muraguri

However, Mburu’s appointment faced resistance. Secret reports from state security agencies deemed him unfit for the role, leading to the Public Service Commission (PSC) initially blocking his appointment.

Instead, David Nyandoro was named Chief Lands Registrar, a decision met with fierce opposition from the cartel.

The cartel responded by raising funds for a court battle, culminating in a High Court ruling that declared Nyandoro’s appointment null and void, upholding Mburu’s claim to the position.

The court’s decision mandated the Principal Secretary of the State Department for Lands and Physical Planning to formally appoint Mburu as Chief Lands Registrar, effective from September 28, 2023.

Public Service Commission’s Role

Despite the ruling, the PSC’s letter, reference PSC212211PSC21/2/12, dated September 28, 2023, reasserted Nyandoro’s appointment, leading to further legal wrangling.

The court issued a permanent injunction restraining PS Nixon Korir and CS Alice Wahome from subjecting Mburu to unfair labor practices.

Court Declarations and Orders as Land Cartel Regroups

The court declared the delay in implementing the PSC’s decision as unlawful, violating fair labor practices and administrative actions under Articles 41 and 47 of the Constitution.

It underscored that appointing Nyandoro undermined the PSC’s functions as established under Articles 243 and 233 of the Constitution.

Ultimately, the court ordered Korir and Wahome to implement the PSC’s decision and appoint Mburu as Chief Lands Registrar, signaling a significant victory for the cartel.

The implications of this ruling on the integrity and operations of the lands ministry remain to be seen.

In conclusion, the regrouping of the Uhuru-era land cartel and their legal maneuvers to influence the appointment of the Chief Lands Registrar highlight ongoing challenges in Kenya’s land ministry.

The outcomes of these court battles will have far-reaching effects on the ministry’s integrity and future operations. Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.