LSK offers to broker truce between Ngilu and land agency

Lands Cabinet Secretary Charity Ngilu inspects title deeds at the Kilifi land registry offices. FILE PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP 

By NATION REPORTER
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The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has offered to act as an intermediary in the tussle between Lands Cabinet Secretary Charity Ngilu and the National Land Commission.

The Supreme Court had last week directed the commission and Mrs Ngilu to hold talks within 90 days over differences in their mandate on land matters.

This was after the commission had argued that the Cabinet secretary had on several occasions published land registration regulations without consulting it.

(READ: Supreme Court orders NLC, Charity Ngilu to hold talks)

LSK chairman Eric Mutua on Tuesday said the body was willing to mediate in the row between the two sides.

“The LSK Council is ready to lead the mediation before the expiry of the 90 days directed for talks by the Supreme Court,” Mr Mutua said.

Mr. Mutua was addressing reporters after chairing a full council meeting at the LSK secretariat in Nairobi.

“The court directed that it would give an advisory opinion should the two parties fail to agree in the crucial talks,” Mr Mutua said.

The LSK chairman said that Article 159(2) of the Constitution provides for alternative dispute resolution methods, including arbitration, mediation and conciliation.

“Raging supremacy battles between Ngilu and the commission have impacted negatively on property transactions countrywide,” Mr Mutua said.

“Registration of property is dragging and banks have also developed cold feet to advance loans using leases and title deeds as security,” Mr Mutua said.