MPs direct KCAA to act fast on irregular land allocations

The National Assembly’s Public Investments Committee has ordered the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) to take immediate action to secure title deeds for all land under its control and to legally protect disputed parcels from further illegal acquisition.

The resolution came after a review of KCAA’s audited accounts revealed irregular allocation of land to private individuals.

KCAA Director General Emile Arao revealed that the disputed land is part of a 160-acre property at the Central Transmission Station in Mlolongo, Machakos County.

Eleven parcels totaling about 4.13 acres have been unlawfully registered under private ownership.

"Hon. Chairman, we reached out to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) in April 2022 and again in June 2023, seeking help to recover the illegally acquired land," he reported.

Committee members questioned KCAA’s slow progress in stopping the encroachment and noted that the Authority lacks title deeds for any land in Mlolongo.

Arao confirmed that attempts to find land records at the Ministry of Lands had failed due to missing files. “The files are missing. We went to the Ministry for a search, but we’ve received no response.”

Committee member Mwangi Kiunjuri warned, “The person who holds the title deed is considered the legal owner. Without it, KCAA could be accused of squatting.”

He also urged a physical inspection of the land to verify its status.

In addition, the Committee raised audit concerns over KCAA projects including housing units in Nyali, Bamburi, and Miritini, as well as the East African School of Aviation infrastructure.

The Committee also requested progress updates from the Inspectorate of Directorates and the National Treasury on state agency mergers to safeguard public resources.