ISK Faults Presidential Nominations to National Land Commission, Cites Exclusion of Land Professionals

By James Nyaigoti,

The Institution of Surveyors of Kenya (ISK) has expressed strong disappointment over the Communication of Presidential Action No. V of 2026 dated February 17, 2026, regarding the nomination of a Chairperson and six Members to the National Land Commission (NLC).

In a press briefing led by its Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Peter Kibet arap Biwott, ISK raised concerns about what it termed as the exclusion of core land professionals from the newly nominated commission, arguing that the move undermines both the spirit and the letter of Kenya’s constitutional and statutory framework on land governance.

ISK recalled its historic role in championing the inclusion of Chapter Five on Land and Environment in the Constitution of Kenya 2010, a provision designed to reform land administration and strengthen governance in a sector long plagued by disputes and inefficiencies.

“The National Land Commission is a very critical institution for land management and land governance in Kenya,” Mr. Biwott stated. “The law is very clear. The NLC Act stipulates that those appointed must include land professionals.”

He emphasized that land professionals in Kenya operate under a strict regulatory regime, being licensed and governed by statutory bodies such as the Land Surveyors Board, the Valuers Registration Board, the Estate Agents Registration Board, and the Building Surveyors Registration Board. Licensing, he noted, ensures accountability and professional liability in decision-making.

“Once you are licensed, you are held responsible for any decision you make. When you sign a report, you are liable under the law,” he said.

Concerns Over Professional Competence

According to ISK, none of the nominated commissioners are members of the institution, nor are they recognized as registered professionals in land surveying, valuation, estate management, or geospatial information systems.

The institution warned that appointing individuals without certified expertise in land management risks weakening the commission’s capacity to execute its mandate effectively. Mr. Biwott drew an analogy to illustrate the gravity of the matter:

“It is like bringing a veterinary doctor to head a human medical institution, or appointing a human medical practitioner to lead a veterinary institution. It cannot work.”

ISK clarified that it is not seeking exclusive representation but is advocating for at least 50 percent representation of qualified land professionals within the commission. At a minimum, the institution argues, the Chairperson and two or three commissioners should be licensed practitioners to ensure that the commission operates strictly within the law and professional standards.

Professional Standards and Continuous Development

The institution underscored its internal mechanisms for maintaining professional excellence. ISK requires members seeking appointment to public boards or commissions to have accumulated at least 50 Continuous Professional Development (CPD) points over a three-year period, ensuring that they remain updated with emerging trends and regulatory changes.

“We want the best to be given that chance,” Mr. Biwott said. “If a member has not met the CPD threshold, we do not recommend them. Integrity and competence are non-negotiable.”

He further noted that Kenya has approximately 15,000 surveyors, with about 7,000 registered under ISK, spanning fellows with over 30 years of experience, full members, graduates, and students currently in training. This, he argued, demonstrates that the country has sufficient expertise to constitute a professionally grounded commission.

While reiterating ISK’s support for the President’s broader development vision including affordable housing, special economic zones, and other land-dependent initiatives, the institution appealed for reconsideration of the nominations.

“We support the President and the national vision to become a First World economy. Land professionals are central to that transformation,” Mr. Biwott stated. “But when appointments do not align with the law, we see a defect.”

ISK urged the President to withdraw the list and reconstitute it in compliance with statutory requirements. Failing that, the institution indicated it would submit a formal memorandum to Parliament to articulate its concerns about the institutional framework and the implications of appointing commissioners who are not subject matter experts.

At stake, ISK maintains, is not merely professional representation, but the integrity, legality, and effectiveness of one of Kenya’s most critical constitutional commissions tasked with managing the country’s land resources.