By Mercy Imali
A five-member selection panel appointed by President Uhuru Kenyatta to recruit a new chairperson and members of the National Land Commission was sworn in.
The panel is mandated to find a replacement for the Muhammad Swazuri team which exited office on February 19th after a six-year tenure.
The panel members are Kennedy Kihara, Principal Administrative Secretary Cabinet Affairs Office, lawyer Esther Omulele, architect Stephen Onundo, Mairura Omwenga, owner, AAK Town Planners Chapter and Priscilla Nyokabi, a commissioner from the National Gender and Equality commission.
“Immediately they have appointed a chair to preside over their sittings, they will proceed to make an advert for Kenyans to show their interest to serve as commissioners of the National Land Commission,” said Public Service Commission chairperson Stephen Kirogo.
“Following the short-listing of those who meet the qualifications the panel will conduct interviews before presenting a list of nominees to the President for nomination and submission for approval by the National Assembly,” he said.
Lands PS Nicholas Muraguri said, “We are also looking for a commission which will promote and secure land rights for all, gender equity in accessing land, build trust and alliances within the sector and strengthen the secretariat.”
Panel member, Kennedy Kihara said, “the harmony between the ministry and the commission is the only way that land matters can be solved without resulting into violence or dislocating the social order,”