Ruto Nominates Chairperson, Six Members to National Land Commission

President William Ruto has nominated a new Chairperson and six members to the National Land Commission (NLC), setting in motion the reconstitution of the land management body in line with a recent Court of Appeal ruling.

In a Presidential Notification of Action No. V of 2026 issued by the Executive Office of the President, the Head of State transmitted the names of the nominees to the National Assembly for consideration and approval, in fulfillment of constitutional requirements governing State appointments.

The nominations follow the ruling of the Court of Appeal in Civil Application No. E662 of 2025, consolidated with Civil Applications No. E663, E680 and E682 of 2025.

The court authorized the recruitment and nomination of a third cohort of commissioners strictly for the purpose of filling the vacant positions of Chairperson and six Commissioners, pending the hearing and final determination of appeals filed by various applicants.

“This Presidential Action follows the recommendations of the Selection Panel appointed vide Kenya Gazette Notice No. 11212 of 2025 and gives effect to the Ruling delivered on Friday 13th February, 2026,” the proclamation states.

In its determination, the Court of Appeal further affirmed that the tenure of the two serving commissioners — Hon. Esther Murugi Mathenge and Hon. Tiyah Galgalo Ali — remains protected and unaffected, with their terms set to expire on December 20, 2026.

According to the notice, upon parliamentary approval, the Commission shall be constituted as follows:

Dr. Abdillahi Saggaf Alawy has been nominated as Chairperson.

The six nominees for appointment as members are  Susan Khakasa Oyatsi, Mr. Daniel Murithi Muriungi, Mr. Kigen Vincent Cheruiyot, Hon. Dr. Julie Ouma Oseko, Hon. Mohamed Abdi Haji Mohamed and Hon. Mary Yiane Seneta.

The two serving members, Hon. Esther Murugi Mathenge, EGH, and Hon. Tiyah Galgalo Ali, MBS, will continue in office as part of the reconstituted Commission.

“In full fulfilment of the constitutional requirements regarding State appointments, His Excellency the President has transmitted the nominations to the National Assembly for consideration and approval by Parliament,” the statement signed by Chief of Staff and Head of the Public Service Felix K. Koskei reads.

The reconstitution of the National Land Commission comes at a critical time when land governance issues remain central to Kenya’s development agenda.

Established under Article 67 of the Constitution, the Commission is mandated to manage public land on behalf of the national and county governments, recommend a national land policy to the national government, and advise on a comprehensive programme for the registration of title in land throughout the country.

The appointments now await vetting by the National Assembly, which will assess the suitability of the nominees before either approving or rejecting the President’s picks.

Once approved, the new team will assume office amid heightened public scrutiny over land administration, historical land injustices and disputes tied to public and community land.

The Presidential action signals the Executive’s intent to restore full operational capacity at the land commission while adhering to the directives issued by the appellate court.