The State Department for Lands and Physical Planning has trained lands officers and members of the public in West Pokot County on the new online stamp duty module, as the Department continues to roll out the National Stamp Duty Module (NSDM) across the country.
Speaking at Kapenguria Ardhi House during a training session, National Land Information Management System (NLIMS) Director Monica Obongo said the State Department for Lands visited West Pokot to onboard officers and fully integrate the county into the online stamp duty module.
She noted that last year, the State Department for Lands trained land officers in 38 land registries and members of the public on the stamp duty module.
The visit to West Pokot, she said, was aimed at issuing equipment and conducting hands-on training to ensure officers can transact land transfers online and completely phase out manual transactions.
Obongo said the onboarding began in December, during which 38 land registries were integrated into the system. Despite December traditionally being a slow month, the State Department was able to raise Sh1.2 billion in revenue during that period alone.
She added that with the implementation of the stamp duty module, the Lands Department had initially set a revenue target of Sh16 billion, but projections show collections will exceed Sh20 billion by June 30, 2026, largely due to the new system.
She explained that the state department is currently onboarding 28 land registries across about 20 counties, noting that 39 registries were onboarded in December.
She explained that the State Department is currently onboarding the remaining 28 land registries across about 20 counties, noting that 39 registries were onboarded in December.
She said that once the exercise is complete, all registries in the country will be fully integrated into the stamp duty module.
She emphasised that by the end of February, no land registry in Kenya will be processing stamp duty manually, adding that similar training is ongoing in the remaining registries in Lamu, Elgeyo Marakwet, Koibatek, Kabarnet, Migori, Kuria, Mbeere, Maua, Nyamira, Transmara, Narok, Samburu, Wundanyi, Kwale, Ugenya, Siaya, Bondo, Kamwangi, Gatundu, Garissa, Homa Bay, Karachuonyo, Iten, Mwingi, Tana River, Kilifi and Malindi.
Obongo said the system requires all stamp duty transactions to be conducted online through the Ardhisasa platform, with users applying digitally and issued titles fully integrated into the system.
“This system fundamentally transforms land administration by eliminating manual processes, strengthening revenue collection, and closing the door on fraud once and for all,” Obongo said.
She noted that titles issued outside the approved online process will be deemed null and void.
The director added that the online registry will help curb duplication of titles and eliminate fraudulent land transactions.
In her remarks, West Pokot County Executive Committee Member for Lands, Urban Planning and Physical Development, Esther Chelimo, thanked the State Department for Lands and Physical Planning for prioritising the digitisation of the West Pokot land registry.
Chelimo noted that the registry serves West Pokot, Turkana and Elgeyo Marakwet counties and that digitisation will enable residents to access land services remotely.
She added that the county is currently facilitating the issuance of title deeds for community land, with subdivision ongoing in group ranches and adjudication processes underway.
She urged residents to ensure their land is adjudicated to enable them to acquire title deeds.
Meanwhile, West Pokot County Registrar Isaac Sabuni, who also oversees Turkana and Elgeyo Marakwet counties, welcomed the roll-out of the new stamp duty module, terming it inclusive and efficient.
Sabuni said the training received will make it easier for members of the public to transact with the government and ensure all due revenue is properly collected and safeguarded.
He noted that challenges such as fake title deeds and fraudulent land transfers will soon be a thing of the past, adding that the new system is well-organised and systematic.
“The absence of a proper land management system has long undermined security of tenure,” Sabuni said.
He said the new digital registry is a major improvement that will allow officers to serve the public efficiently, including speeding up the issuance of community land title deeds.
By Anthony Melly and Parklea Ivor
