Residents of Machakos County have petitioned the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to launch an urgent investigation into alleged corruption, fraudulent dealings, and irregularities at the Machakos Lands Registry.
In their petition, the residents claim that landowners and members of the public seeking official land searches and ownership verification have for years faced unexplained delays, missing land records, conflicting ownership details, and other challenges that have eroded confidence in the county’s land registration system.
The residents argue that the persistent problems have made it difficult for genuine landowners to efficiently conduct official land searches, raising serious concerns over the integrity and security of land records maintained at the registry.
They are now calling on the EACC to undertake a comprehensive audit of all title deeds and land records relating to Athi River, Matungulu, and Yatta sub-counties.
According to the petition, the investigation should establish whether fraudulent title deeds have been issued, whether public officers have abused their offices, and whether land records have been unlawfully altered.
The petitioners further want any public officers found culpable to be held accountable in accordance with the law.
They also urged the Commission to recommend measures that will restore public confidence in the management of land records in Machakos County.
Recently,there were issues related to parcels in Mavoko Block 2 and Block 3, where at least 38 title deeds processed in mid-April were under scrutiny.
Additional questions emerged over a separate title deed for Ndalani/Ndalani Block 1 (886 of 2024) among others.
Recent litigation reflects a heavy emphasis on holding the Machakos registry accountable to its technical and statutory duties under the Land Registration Act.
The furious residents expressed confidence that the EACC will treat the matter with the urgency it deserves, saying a thorough investigation is necessary to safeguard property rights, enhance transparency, and uphold integrity in the administration of public land records.
They said corruption in Kenya’s land registries remains a severe challenge.
It is characterized by deliberate file misplacement, bribery for official searches, and collusion to illegally transfer titles or grab public land.
Investigations reveal some registry officials accumulating multi-million shilling unexplained wealth.
