The government has taken significant step in bringing land services closer to citizens, following the official commissioning of the Kamwangi Lands Registry in Gatundu North Constituency, Kiambu County,
The newly established Registry is expected to enhance access to land services for more than 30,000 residents, while advancing the government’s broader agenda of decentralizing public services, improving efficiency and strengthening land administration at the grassroots level.
Speaking during the commissioning ceremony, Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development CS Alice Wahome flanked by her Principal Secretary Nixon Korir, described the opening of the Registry as a major milestone in the Ministry’s ongoing reforms, aimed at ensuring citizens access essential land services conveniently and without the burden of travelling for long distances.
Wahome commended Gatundu North Member of Parliament, Elijah Njoroge Kururia for his efforts in championing the establishment of the facility, noting that the project reflects the government’s commitment to delivering people-centered services.
“I am delighted that the Kamwangi Lands Registry is now operational and ready to serve over 30,000 residents. This is a clear demonstration of the government’s commitment to fulfilling its promise of bringing services closer to the people and ensuring every Kenyan can access land services conveniently,” said the CS.
Wahome noted that the decentralization of land services is critical in reducing turnaround times, lowering costs for wananchi and improving efficiency in land transactions, registration, and documentation.
Earlier, the Cabinet Secretary inspected the progress of the ongoing construction of the Gatukuyu, Kanyoni, and Kamwangi markets, key infrastructural projects expected to spur local economic activity, create employment opportunities, and improve livelihoods for traders and residents in the region.
Wahome further reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to accelerating land reforms and rolling-out digitization programs across the country to modernize land administration and safeguard public records.
“We are committed to digitizing land records across the country to improve efficiency, safeguard documents, and eliminate opportunities for land fraud. Our goal is to build a modern, transparent, and accessible land administration system that serves all Kenyans effectively,” she said.
The Principal Secretary lauded Gatundu North MP, Elijah Njoroge Kururia for supporting the project through the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF), saying the collaboration between the national government and local leadership had enabled the successful realization of the registry.
The PS observed that the establishment of the Kamwangi Lands Registry, aligns with the government’s broader vision of transforming land administration and ensuring citizens can access services closer to where they live.
“The establishment of Kamwangi Lands Registry, is part of our broader agenda to transform land administration and improve access to services. We want residents to spend less time and money seeking services and more time investing in their land and improving their livelihoods,” said Korir.
He added that the Ministry is implementing an ambitious nationwide digitization program, aimed at securing land records, enhancing transparency, reducing disputes, and boosting public confidence in land transactions.
“The future of land administration lies in technology-driven systems that guarantee security, efficiency, and accountability. Through digitization, we are laying a strong foundation for a more responsive and transparent land sector,” he said.
The Gatundu North MP welcomed commissioning of the facility, terming it a transformative development for the constituency and a major relief for residents who previously travelled to Kiambu and Gatundu South, to access land-related services.
“This Registry is a major relief to our people. Residents will no longer incur unnecessary costs and spend valuable time travelling long distances in search of land services. We appreciate the Ministry for partnering with us, to make this dream a reality,” said Kururia.
The MP noted that easier access to land services, would not only improve service delivery, but also stimulate investment, facilitate land transactions and contribute to local economic growth.
During the event, Gatundu North Deputy County Commissioner, Margaret Mbugua, issued a stern warning to individuals involved in illegal land grabbing, particularly cases targeting widows and other vulnerable members of society.
She emphasized that the Government remains committed to protecting property rights and ensuring justice for all landowners.
“Those taking advantage of widows and vulnerable families to unlawfully acquire their land, should know that the law will catch-up with them. We will continue protecting the rights of all landowners and ensuring justice prevails,” she said.
The commissioning ceremony brought together National and County leadership, among them Thika Town Member of Parliament, Alice Ng’ang’a, Githunguri Member of Parliament Gathoni Wamuchomba, government officials, community leaders and residents.
The opening of the Kamwangi Lands Registry, underscores the government’s unwavering commitment to expanding access to public services, strengthening land governance, enhancing transparency in land administration and promoting inclusive socio-economic development across the country.
By Grace Naishoo
