Migori,
20/01/2026
The National Land Commission (NLC) has taken another important step towards securing land tenure for communities under the Kenya Informal Settlements Improvement Project (KISIP II) with the commencement of ground verification exercises in Migori County.
Following the successful completion of planning and surveying, the NLC team – led by Mr. Zechariah Ndege, Deputy Director for Land Administration and Management – is undertaking verification in Okwanyo Estate and Jiw-Dendi informal settlements. The exercise aims to confirm the accuracy and completeness of submitted status reports before the issuance of tenure documents.
The verification mission was warmly received during courtesy calls to the Migori County Executive Committee Member for Lands, Ms. Mercy Mwakio, and the Migori County Commissioner, Mr. Kisilu Mutua, who lauded the exercise as a critical step towards orderly and sustainable urban development.
Speaking during the exercise, Mr. Joel Ombati, Director of Valuation and Taxation at NLC, emphasized that thorough verification is essential in preventing future land disputes. Mr. Ndege noted that the process focuses on verifying beneficiaries, assessing infrastructure, identifying disputes early, and confirming the availability and suitability of land parcels for tenure regularization.
The team also conducted detailed ground-truthing to align approved plans with actual site conditions, verify survey plans, identify social amenities, and clearly mark riparian reserves. Riparian areas were demarcated at 30 metres from the highest water mark in line with environmental regulations and the Survey Act (Cap 299).
This milestone paves the way for the issuance of Letters of Allotment to eligible beneficiaries, reinforcing NLC’s commitment to transparency, secure tenure, and dignified living for communities—working hand in hand with county governments and stakeholders to build sustainable cities.