President William Ruto has nominated a new chairperson and six members to the National Land Commission (NLC) and submitted their names to Parliament for vetting and approval.
The appointments, announced by the Head of Public Service on Tuesday, February 17, come after a Court of Appeal ruling that paved the way for the recruitment process.
The court allowed the nomination of a third group of commissioners strictly to fill the vacant positions of chairperson and six commissioners, pending the conclusion of appeals filed by earlier applicants.
Ruto Appoints New National Land Commission Chairperson, Names Several Commissioners. Photo: Courtesy.
It also noted that the terms of the two serving commissioners, Esther Murugi Mathenge and Tiyah Galgalo Ali, remain unchanged and will run until their expiry on December 20.
The Head of State nominated Dr Abdillahi Saggaf Alawy as the new Chairperson of the National Land Commission (NLC), replacing outgoing chairperson Gershom Otachi.
The President Ruto also named six commissioners to join Alawy on the board.
They include financial expert Susan Khakasa Oyatsi, Daniel Murithi Muriungi, Kigen Vincent Cheruiyot a former National Employment Authority chairperson Dr Julie Ouma Oseko, a senior legal consultant, former Banisa MP Mohamed Abdi Haji Mohamed, and former Kajiado Women Representative Mary Yiane Seneta.
The Seneta was previously among nine candidates shortlisted by the Public Service Commission (PSC) for positions at the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) in 2025 but did not make the final list.
Attention now turns to Parliament, which will vet and approve the nominees before forwarding the names back to the President for formal appointment.
The National Land Commission (NLC) is the key constitutional body responsible for managing public land on behalf of both national and county governments.
It also investigates historical land injustices, advises on land policy, and oversees land use planning and management.
