LAWS OF KENYA

NATIONAL LAND COMMISSION ACT

CHAPTER 5D

Revised Edition 2014 [2012]

Published by the National Council for Law Reporting
with the Authority of the Attorney-General
www.kenyalaw.org

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CHAPTER 5D
NATIONAL LAND COMMISSION ACT
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
PART I PRELIMINARY
Section
1.
2.
3.
4.

Short title.
Interpretation.
Object and purpose of the Act.
Offices of the Commission.

PART II FUNCTIONS AND POWERS

5.
6.

Functions of the Commission.

Powers of the Commission.

PART III COMPOSITION AND ADMINISTRATION

7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.

Membership of the Commission.

Qualification for appointment as chairperson or member of the Commission.
Oath of office of chairperson, member or secretary.
Vacancy in the office of chairperson or member.
Removal of chairperson or member.
Filling of vacancy.
Terms and conditions of service.
Review of grants and dispositions.
Investigation and adjudication.
Establishment of committees and county offices.
Consultation.
Establishment and composition of county land management boards.
Conduct of business and affairs of the Commission.
Appointment of secretary.
Removal of secretary.
Appointment of staff.
Secondment of staff.
Seal of the Commission.
Protection from personal liability.

PART IV FINANCIAL PROVISIONS

26.
27.
28.
29.

Funds of the Commission.

Financial year.
Annual estimates.
Accounts and audit.

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PART V TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS

Section
30.
31.
32.

Savings.
Transfer of staff.
Transfer of assets.

33.
34.
35.
36.

Annual report.
Code of conduct.
Offences.
Regulations.

PART VI MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

SCHEDULES
FIRST SCHEDULE

PROCEDURE FOR APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRPERSON AND MEMBERS

OF THE COMMISSION
SECOND SCHEDULE

OATH/AFFIRMATION OF THE OFFICE OF CHAIRPERSON/A MEMBER/

SECRETARY OF THE COMMISSION
THIRD SCHEDULE

OATH/AFFIRMATION OF THE OFFICE OF CHAIRPERSON/A MEMBER/

SECRETARY OF THE COUNTY LAND BOARD
FOURTH SCHEDULE

MEETINGS AND PROCEDURE OF THE COMMISSION

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CHAPTER 5D
NATIONAL LAND COMMISSION ACT
[Date of assent: 27th April, 2012.]
[Date of commencement: 2nd May, 2012.]
An Act of Parliament to make further provision as to the functions and
powers of the National Land Commission, qualifications and procedures
for appointments to the Commission; to give effect to the objects
and principles of devolved government in land management and
administration, and for connected purposes
[Act No. 5 of 2012, Act No. 18 of 2014.]

PART I PRELIMINARY
1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the National Land Commission Act, 2012.
2. Interpretation
(1) In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires
board means a county land management board established pursuant to
section 18;
chairperson means the chairperson of the Commission appointed in
accordance with Article 250(2) of the Constitution and section 8 of this Act;
Cabinet Secretary means the Cabinet Secretary for the time being
responsible for matters relating to land;
Commission means the National Land Commission established by
Article 67 of the Constitution;
community means a clearly defined group of users of land identified on
the basis of ethnicity, culture or similar community of interest as provided under
Article 63(1) of the Constitution, which holds a set of clearly defined rights and
obligations over land and land-based resources;
irregularly means in a manner that does not conform to standards,
procedures or the criteria prescribed under this Act or any other written law;
Registrar means the Chief Land Registrar, Deputy Chief Land Registrar,
County Land Registrars and Land Registrars appointed under the Land
Registration Act (Cap. 300);
secretary means the secretary to the Commission appointed by the
Commission under Article 250(12) of the Constitution, in accordance with the
procedure set out in section 20 of this Act.
(2) Despite subsection (1), until after the first general elections under the
Constitution, references in this Act to the expression Cabinet Secretary shall be
construed to mean Minister.

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3. Object and purpose of the Act

The object and purpose of this Act is to provide
(a) for the management and administration of land in accordance with the
principles of land policy set out in Article 60 of the Constitution and
the national land policy;
(b) for the operations, powers, responsibilities and additional functions of
the Commission pursuant to Article 67(3) of the Constitution;
(c) a legal framework for the identification and appointment of the
chairperson, members and the secretary of the Commission pursuant
to Article 250(2) and (12)(a) of the Constitution; and
(d) for a linkage between the Commission, county governments and other
institutions dealing with land and land related resources.
4. Offices of the Commission
(1) The Headquarters of the Commission shall be in Nairobi.
(2) The Commission shall ensure access to its services in all parts of the
Republic in accordance with Article 6(3) of the Constitution.

PART II FUNCTIONS AND POWERS

5. Functions of the Commission
(1) Pursuant to Article 67(2) of the Constitution, the functions of the Commission
shall be
(a) to manage public land on behalf of the national and county
governments;
(b) to recommend a national land policy to the national government;
(c) to advise the national government on a comprehensive programme
for the registration of title in land throughout Kenya;
(d) to conduct research related to land and the use of natural resources,
and make recommendations to appropriate authorities;
(e) to initiate investigations, on its own initiative or on a complaint, into
present or historical land injustices, and recommend appropriate
redress;
(f) to encourage the application of traditional dispute resolution
mechanisms in land conflicts;
(g) to assess tax on land and premiums on immovable property in any
area designated by law; and
(h) to monitor and have oversight responsibilities over land use planning
throughout the country.
(2) In addition to the functions set out in subsection (1), the Commission shall,
in accordance with Article 67(3) of the Constitution
(a) on behalf of, and with the consent of the national and county
governments, alienate public land;
(b) monitor the registration of all rights and interests in land;

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(c)

(d)
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ensure that public land and land under the management of designated
state agencies are sustainably managed for their intended purpose
and for future generations;
develop and maintain an effective land information management
system at national and county levels;
manage and administer all unregistered trust land and unregistered
community land on behalf of the county government; and
develop and encourage alternative dispute resolution mechanisms in
land dispute handling and management.

(3) Despite the provisions of this section, the Commission shall ensure that all
unregistered land is registered within ten years from the commencement of this Act.
(4) Parliament may, after taking into consideration the progress of registration,
extend the period set by the Commission under subsection (3).
6. Powers of the Commission
(1) The Commission, shall have all the powers necessary for the execution of
its functions under the Constitution, this Act and any other written law.
(2) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1), the Commission shall
have powers to
(a) gather, by such means as it considers appropriate, any relevant
information including requisition of reports, records, documents or any
information from any source, including any State organ, and to compel
the production of such information where it considers necessary;
(b) hold inquiries for the purposes of performing its functions under this
Act;
(c) take any measures it considers necessary to ensure compliance with
the principles of land policy set out in Article 60(1) of the Constitution.
(3) In the exercise of its powers and the discharge of its functions, the
Commission
(a) may inform itself in such manner as it may consider necessary;
(b) may receive written or oral statements; and
(c) is not bound by the strict rules of evidence.

PART III COMPOSITION AND ADMINISTRATION

7. Membership of the Commission
(1) The Commission shall consist of a chairperson and eight other members
appointed in accordance with the Constitution and the provisions of this Act.
(2) The chairperson and members of the Commission shall be appointed in
accordance with the procedure set out in the First Schedule.

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8.
Qualification for appointment as chairperson or member of the
Commission

(1) A person shall be qualified for appointment as the chairperson if the person
(a)
(b)

(c)
(d)

holds a degree from a university recognized in Kenya;

has knowledge and experience of at least fifteen years in matters
relating to any of the following fields
(i) public administration;
(ii) land management and administration;
(iii) management of natural resources;
(iv) land adjudication and settlement;
(v) land law, land survey, spatial planning or land economics; or
(vi) social sciences;
meets the requirements of Chapter Six of the Constitution; and
has had a distinguished career in their respective fields.

(2) A person shall be qualified for appointment as a member of the Commission

if the person
(a) holds a degree from a university recognized in Kenya;
(b) has knowledge and experience of at least ten years in matters relating
to any of the following fields
(i) public administration;
(ii) land management and administration;
(iii) management of natural resources;
(iv) land adjudication and settlement;
(v) land law, land survey, spatial planning or land economics; or
(vi) social sciences;
(c) meets the requirements of Chapter Six of the Constitution; and
(d) has had a distinguished career in their respective fields.
(3) A person shall not be qualified for appointment as the chairperson or a
member of the Commission if the person
(a) is a member of Parliament or county assembly;
(b) is an official of a governing body of a political party;
(c) has at any time within the preceding five years, held or stood for
election as a member of Parliament, a county assembly or as a
governor;
(d) is an undischarged bankrupt;
(e) has been convicted of a felony;
(f) has benefitted from, or facilitated an unlawful or irregular allocation,
acquisition or use of land or other public property; or
(g) has been removed from office for contravening the provisions of the
Constitution or any other written law.

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(4) Subsection (3)(b) shall cease to apply to a person after two general elections
have been held since the person ceased to hold such office.
(5) The chairperson and members of the Commission shall be appointed for a
single term of six years and shall not be eligible for re-appointment.
9. Oath of office of chairperson, member and secretary
The chairperson, members and the secretary shall, before assuming office,
make and subscribe, before the Chief Justice, to the oath or affirmation set out in
the Second Schedule.
10. Vacancy in office of chairperson or member
(1) The office of the chairperson or a member shall become vacant if
(a) the holder
(i) dies;
(ii) by notice in writing addressed to the President, resigns from
office;
(iii) is convicted of a felony;
(iv) is absent from three consecutive meetings of the Commission
without justifiable cause;
(v) is removed from office under any of the circumstances specified
in Article 251(1) of the Constitution; or
(b) the term of office of the holder expires.
(2) The President shall publish every resignation, vacancy or termination in the
Gazette within seven days of such resignation, vacancy or termination.
11. Removal of chairperson or member
The chairperson or a member of the Commission may be removed from office
in accordance with the procedure for removal provided under Article 251 of the
Constitution.
12. Filling of vacancy
(1) Where a vacancy occurs in the membership of the Commission, the
President shall appoint a replacement in accordance with the procedure set out in
the First Schedule.
(2) A member appointed under subsection (1), shall serve the Commission for
a single term of six years.
13. Terms and conditions of service
A member of the Commission shall be paid such remuneration or allowances
as the Salaries and Remuneration Commission shall determine.
14. Review of grants and dispositions
(1) Subject to Article 68(c)(v) of the Constitution, the Commission shall, within
five years of the commencement of this Act, on its own motion or upon a complaint
by the national or a county government, a community or an individual, review all
grants or dispositions of public land to establish their propriety or legality.

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(2) Subject to Articles 40, 47 and 60 of the Constitution, the Commission shall
make rules for the better carrying out of its functions under subsection (1).
(3) In the exercise of the powers under subsection (1), the Commission shall
give every person who appears to the Commission to have an interest in the grant
or disposition concerned, a notice of such review and an opportunity to appear
before it and to inspect any relevant documents.
(4) After hearing the parties in accordance with subsection (3), the Commission
shall make a determination.
(5) Where the Commission finds that the title was acquired in an unlawful
manner, the Commission shall, direct the Registrar to revoke the title.
(6) Where the Commission finds that the title was irregularly acquired, the
Commission shall take appropriate steps to correct the irregularity and may also
make consequential orders.
(7) No revocation of title shall be effected against a bona fide purchaser for
value without notice of a defect in the title.
(8) In the exercise of its power under this section, the Commission shall be
guided by the principles set out under Article 47 of the Constitution.
(9) The Commission may, where it considers it necessary, petition Parliament
to extend the period for undertaking the review specified in subsection (1).
15. Investigation and adjudication
The Commission shall, within two years of its appointment, recommend to
Parliament appropriate legislation to provide for investigation and adjudication of
claims arising out of historical land injustices for the purposes of Article 67(2)(e)
of the Constitution.
16. Establishment of committees and county offices
(1) The Commission may, establish committees for the better carrying out of
its functions.
(2) The Commission may co-opt into the membership of its committees
other persons whose knowledge and skills are necessary for the functions of the
Commission.
(3) A person co-opted into the membership of a committee under subsection
(2) may attend the meetings of the Commission and participate in its deliberations
but shall have no right to vote at any meeting
(4) The Commission may pay persons co-opted to the committees such
allowances and other expenses as it may determine from time to time.
(5) The Commission shall establish offices in the counties and may establish
other offices in the sub-counties as it may consider necessary.
17. Consultation
In carrying out its functions, the Commission shall work in consultation and cooperation with the national and county governments subject to Article 10 and Article
232 of the Constitution.

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18. Establishment and composition of county land management boards

(1) The Commission shall, in consultation and co-operation with the national
and county governments, establish county land management boards for purposes
of managing public land.
(2) A county land management board shall comprise
(a) not less than three and not more than seven members appointed by
the Commission; and
(b) a physical planner or a surveyor who shall be nominated by the county
executive member and appointed by the governor.
(3) A member of the board, unless ex officio, shall be appointed for a single
term of five years and shall not be eligible for re-appointment.
(4) The chairperson of the board shall be elected by the members in their first
sitting.
(5) The secretary to the board shall be appointed by the Commission.
(6) The appointment of the members shall be approved by the county assembly
and shall take into account the national values referred to in Article 10 and Article
232 of the Constitution and shall reflect gender equity and ethnic diversity within
that county.
(7) The chairperson, members and the secretary of the board shall, before
assuming office, make and subscribe, before a judge, to the oath or affirmation set
out in the Third Schedule.
(8) In the discharge of their functions, the boards shall comply with the
regulations made by the Commission under this Act.
(9) The boards shall
(a) subject to the physical planning and survey requirements, process
applications for allocation of land, change and extension of user,
subdivision of public land and renewal of leases; and
(b) perform any other functions assigned by the Commission or by any
other written law.
19. Conduct of business and affairs of the Commission
(1) The business and affairs of the Commission shall be conducted in
accordance with the Fourth Schedule.
(2) Except as provided in the Fourth Schedule, the Commission may regulate
its own procedure.
20. Appointment of secretary
(1) The appointment of the secretary to the Commission under Article 250(12)
of the Constitution shall be through a competitive and transparent recruitment
process.
(2) A person shall not qualify for appointment under subsection (1) unless such
person
(a) is a citizen of Kenya;

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(b)
(c)
(d)

holds a degree from a university recognized in Kenya;

has had at least five years experience at senior management level;
has knowledge and experience in any one of the following fields
(i) public administration;
(ii) finance and accounting;
(iii) law;
(iv) economics;
(v) management;
(vi) land and natural resources; or
(vii) any other relevant field; and
(e) meets the requirements of Chapter Six of the Constitution.
(3) The secretary shall
(a) be the chief executive officer of the Commission and head of the
secretariat and shall be responsible to the Commission;
(b) serve on such terms and conditions as the Commission may
determine; and
(c) before, assuming office, take and subscribe to the oath or affirmation
of office set out in the Second Schedule.
(4) The secretary, shall be the accounting officer of the Commission and shall
be responsible to the Commission for
(a) all income and expenditure of the Commission;
(b) all assets and the discharge of all liabilities of the Commission; and
(c) the proper and diligent implementation of Part IV of this Act.
(5) The secretary shall hold office for a term of five years and shall be eligible
for re-appointment for the further term of five years.
21. Removal of secretary
(1) The secretary may be removed from office by the Commission in
accordance with the terms and conditions of service for
(a) inability to perform the functions of the office of the secretary arising
out of physical or mental incapacity;
(b) gross misconduct or misbehavior;
(c) incompetence or neglect of duty;
(d) violation of the Constitution; or
(e) any other ground that would justify removal from office under the terms
and conditions of service.
(2) Before the secretary is removed under subsection (1), the secretary shall
be given
(a) sufficient notice of the allegations made against them; and
(b) an opportunity to present their defence against the allegations.

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22. Appointment of staff

The Commission shall have the power to appoint its own staff in accordance
with Article 252(1)(c) of the Constitution.
23. Secondment of staff
(1) In addition to the staff appointed by the Commission, the national and
county governments may, upon the request by the Commission, second to
the Commission such number of public officers as may be necessary for the
performance of the functions of the Commission.
(2) A public officer seconded to the Commission shall, during the period of
secondment, be deemed to be an officer of the Commission and shall be subject
only to the direction and control of the Commission.
24. Seal of the Commission
(1) The common seal of the Commission shall be kept in such custody as
the Commission shall direct and shall not be used except on the order of the
Commission.
(1A) The common seal of the Commission shall be authenticated by the
signatures of the Chairperson and the Secretary to the Commission.
(2) The common seal of the Commission when affixed to a document and duly
authenticated shall be judicially and officially noticed and unless the contrary is
proved, any necessary order or authorization of the Commission under this Act
shall be presumed to have been duly given.
[Act No. 18 of 2014, Sch.]

25. Protection from personal liability

No matter or thing done by a member of the Commission or any officer,
employee or agent of the Commission shall, if the matter or thing is done in good
faith for executing the functions, powers or duties of the Commission, render the
member, officer, employee or agent personally liable to any action, claim or demand
whatsoever.

PART IV FINANCIAL PROVISIONS

26. Funds of the Commission
(1) The funds of the Commission shall consist of
(a) monies allocated by Parliament for the purposes of the Commission;
(b) such monies or assets as may accrue to the Commission in the course
of the exercise of its powers, or the performance of its functions under
this Act; and
(c) all monies from any other source provided or donated or lent to the
Commission.
(2) The receipts, earnings or accruals of the Commission and the balances at
the close of each financial year shall not be paid into the Consolidated Fund but
shall be retained for the purposes of this Act in accordance with Article 206(1)(a)
and (b) of the Constitution.

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27. Financial year

The financial year of the Commission shall be the period of twelve months
commencing on the first of July and ending on the thirtieth of June of the
subsequent year.
28. Annual estimates
(1) Before the commencement of each financial year, the Commission shall
cause to be prepared estimates of the revenue and expenditure of the Commission
for that year.
(2) The annual estimates shall make provision for all the estimated expenditure
of the Commission for the financial year concerned.
(3) The Cabinet Secretary shall present the estimates approved by the
Commission under subsection (2) for consideration and approval by the National
Assembly.
29. Accounts and audit
(1) The Commission shall cause to be kept all proper books and records of
account of the income, expenditure, assets and liabilities of the Commission.
(2) Within a period of three months after the end of each financial year, the
Commission shall submit to the Auditor-General, the accounts of the Commission
in respect of that year together with
(a) a statement of the income and expenditure of the Commission during
that year; and
(b) a statement of the assets and liabilities of the Commission on the last
day of that financial year.
(3) The annual accounts of the Commission shall be prepared, audited and
reported upon in accordance with the provisions of Articles 226 and 229 of the
Constitution and the Public Audit Act (Cap. 412B).

PART V TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS

30. Savings
Notwithstanding the provisions of this Act
(a) any orders or notices relating to public land administration made or
issued by the Ministry of Lands before the commencement of the Act
shall be deemed to have been made or issued under this Act; and
(b) any function or transaction, civil proceedings or any other legal or
other process in respect of any matter carried out in relation to the
administration of public land administration, by or on behalf of the
Ministry of Lands before the commencement of this Act, shall be
deemed to have been carried out under this Act.
31. Transfer of staff
(1) Subject to subsection (3), a person who, immediately before the
commencement of this Act, was serving on contract in the Ministry of Lands in any
of the departments whose services have been transferred to the Commission shall,
at the commencement of this Act, be appointed or employed as a member of staff
of the Commission for the unexpired period, if any, of the term.
(2) Subject to subsection (3) and Article 252(1)(c) of the Constitution, every
person who, immediately before the commencement of this Act, was an employee
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of the Government in the Ministry of Lands in any of the departments whose

functions have been transferred to the Commission shall, upon the commencement
of this Act, be employed or appointed as a member of staff of the Commission.
(3) Before appointing or employing a person to whom subsections (1) or (2)
apply, the Commission shall
(a) require such person to make an application for employment or
appointment to the Commission; and
(b) using the criteria determined by the Commission, vet such a person to
ensure that he or she is fit and proper to serve in the position applied
for as a member of staff of the Commission.
(4) An applicant who fails to meet the vetting criteria under subsection (3), shall
not be employed or appointed by the Commission.
(5) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, and for as long as the
Commission or the county government shall not have appointed staff to perform
the functions transferred under this section, the staff of the Ministry of Lands shall
continue to perform those functions and their acts shall be deemed to be those of
the Commission or county government.
32. Transfer of assets
(1) All property, assets, rights, liabilities, obligations, agreements and other
arrangements existing at the commencement of this Act and vested in, acquired,
incurred or entered into by or on behalf of the Ministry of Lands with respect to
the departments whose functions have been transferred to the Commission, shall
upon the commencement of this Act, be deemed to have vested in or to have been
acquired, incurred or entered into by or on behalf of the Commission to the same
extent as they were enforceable by or against the such departments before the
commencement of this Act.
(2) Where the transfer of any property transferred to or vested in the
Commission under subsection (1) is required by any written law to be registered,
the Commission shall, within three months from the commencement of this Act
or within such other period as may be prescribed in the written law, apply to the
appropriate registering authority for the registration of the transfer and thereupon
the registering authority shall, at no cost to the Commission or any person by way
of registration fees, stamp duty or other taxes
(a) make such entries in the appropriate register as shall be necessary
to give effect to the transfer;
(b) where appropriate, issue to the Commission a certificate of title or
other statutory evidence of ownership of the property or make such
amendments on such certificates or in the appropriate register as may
be necessary; and
(c) make any necessary endorsements on such deeds or other
documents as may be presented to such registering authority relating
to the title, right or obligation concerned.

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PART VI MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

33. Annual report
(1) The report of the Commission under Article 254 of the Constitution shall, in
respect of the financial year to which it relates, contain
(a) the financial statements of the Commission;
(b) a description of the activities of the Commission;
(c) information relating to the progress made in the registration of title in
land;
(d) recommendations made by the Commission to the county or national
governments or to any state agency or organ and the action taken on
such recommendations;
(e) any impediments to the work of the Commission; and
(f) such other information as the Commission considers appropriate in
relation to the functions of the Commission.
(2) The Commission shall cause the annual report and any information as may
be required under Article 254(3) of the Constitution to be published and publicized
in such manner as the Commission may determine.
34. Code of conduct
The Commission shall within six months develop a code of conduct for its
members and staff.
35. Offences
(1) A person shall not
(a) without justification or lawful excuse, obstruct or hinder, assault or
threaten a member or a member of staff of the Commission acting
under this Act;
(b) submit false or misleading information to the Commission; or
(c) misrepresent to or knowingly mislead a member or a member of staff
of the Commission acting under this Act.
(2) A person who contravenes subsection (1) commits an offence and is liable,
on conviction, to a fine not exceeding three million shillings, or to imprisonment for
a term not exceeding five years, or to both.
36. Regulations
The Commission may make regulations generally for the better carrying into
effect of any provisions of this Act and such regulations shall be tabled before
Parliament for approval.

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FIRST SCHEDULE
[Sections 7(2), 12(1).]

PROCEDURE FOR APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRPERSON

AND MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION
(1) The President, in consultation with the Prime Minister shall, within fourteen
days after the commencement of this Act and whenever a vacancy arises,
constitute a selection panel comprising
(a) a nominee of the Office of the President;
(b) a nominee of the Office of the Prime Minister;
(c) a representative of the Cabinet Secretary;
(d) two persons, of opposite gender, nominated by the NonGovernmental Organisations Council, who have demonstrated
competence and capacity in matters related to natural resources;
(e) one person who is a citizen of Kenya, nominated by the Kenya
Private Sector Alliance from their member organizations who has
demonstrated competence and capacity in the land sector.
(f) a nominee of the Association of Professional Societies in East Africa;
and
(g) a nominee of the National Gender and Equality Commission:
Provided that after the first elections under the Constitution, the nominee
of the office of the Prime Minister under sub-paragraph (b) shall not constitute
membership of the selection panel.
(2) The Public Service Commission shall
(a) convene the first meeting of the selection panel, at which the members
of the selection panel shall elect a chairperson from among their
number; and
(b) provide the selection panel with such facilities and other support as it
may require for the discharge of its functions under this Act.
(3) The selection panel shall, within seven days of convening, by advertisement
in at least two daily newspapers of nationwide circulation, invite applications
from persons who qualify for nomination and appointment for the position of the
chairperson and members referred to under section 8.
(4) The selection panel shall within twenty-one days after the expiry of the
deadline for receipt of applications under paragraph (3)
(a) consider the applications received under paragraph (3) to determine
their compliance with the provisions of the Constitution and this Act;
(b) short list the applicants;
(c) publish the names of the shortlisted applicants and the qualified
applicants in at least two daily newspapers of nationwide circulation;
(d) conduct interviews of the shortlisted persons in public;
(e) shortlist two qualified applicants for the position of chairperson;
(f) shortlist sixteen qualified applicants for the position of the members;
and

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forward the names of the qualified persons to the President.

(5) The President shall, within fourteen days of receipt of the names of
successful applicants forwarded under paragraph (4)(g), nominate the chairperson
and members of the Commission and forward the names of the persons so selected
to the National Assembly for approval.
(6) The National Assembly shall, within twenty-one days of the day, it next sits
after receipt of the names of the applicants under paragraph (5), vet and consider
all the applicants, and may approve or reject any or all of them.
(7) Where the National Assembly approves of the nominees, the Speaker of
the National Assembly shall forward the names of the approved nominees to the
President for appointment.
(8) The President shall, within seven days of receipt of the approved nominees
from the National Assembly, by notice in the Gazette, appoint the chairperson and
members of the Commission approved by the National Assembly.
(9) Where the National Assembly rejects any nomination, the Speaker shall
within three days communicate its decision to the President and request the
President to submit fresh nominations.
(10) Where a nominee is rejected by the National Assembly under paragraph
(9), the President shall within seven days, submit to the National Assembly a fresh
nomination from amongst the persons shortlisted and forwarded by the selection
panel under paragraph (4).
(11) If the National Assembly rejects any or all of the subsequent nominees
submitted by the President for approval under paragraph (10), the provisions of
paragraphs (1) to (5) shall apply.
(12) In short listing, nominating or appointing persons as chairperson and
members of the Commission, the selection panel, the National Assembly and the
President shall ensure that not more than two-thirds of the members are of the
same gender.
(13) The selection panel may, subject to this section, determine its own
procedure.
(14) Until after the first general elections under the Constitution, the President
shall, in the appointment of the chairperson or members of the Commission, consult
the Prime Minister.
(15) The selection panel shall stand dissolved upon the appointment of the
chairperson and members of the Commission under paragraph (8).
(16) Where the provisions of paragraph (10) apply, the selection panel shall
continue to exist but shall stand dissolved upon the requisite appointments being
made under paragraph (11).
(17) Despite the foregoing provisions, the President may, by notice in the
Gazette, extend the period specified in respect of any matter under this section by
a period not exceeding twenty-one days.

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SECOND SCHEDULE
[Sections 9, 20(3)(c).]

OATH/AFFIRMATION OF THE OFFICE OF CHAIRPERSON/

A MEMBER/SECRETARY OF THE COMMISSION
I .........................................................................................................................
having been appointed (the chairperson to /member of / secretary to) the
National Land Commission under the National Land Commission Act, 2012, do
solemnly (swear/ declare and affirm) that I will at all times obey, respect and uphold
the Constitution of Kenya and all other laws of the Republic; that I will faithfully and
fully, impartially and to the best of my knowledge and ability, discharge the trust and
perform the functions and exercise and powers devolving upon me by virtue of this
appointment without fear, favour, bias, affection, or prejudice. (SO HELP ME GOD).
Sworn/declared by the said ..........................................................................
Before me this ......................................day of ...............................................
...........................................
Chief Justice.

THIRD SCHEDULE
[Section 18(7).]

OATH/AFFIRMATION OF THE OFFICE OF CHAIRPERSON/A MEMBER/

SECRETARY OF THE COUNTY LAND MANAGEMENT BOARD
I .........................................................................................................................
having been appointed (the chairperson to /member of / secretary to) the County
Land Board under the National Land Commission Act, 2012, do solemnly (swear/
declare and affirm) that I will at all times obey, respect and uphold the Constitution
of Kenya and all other laws of the Republic; that I will faithfully and fully, impartially
and to the best of my knowledge and ability, discharge the trust and perform the
functions and exercise and powers devolving upon me by virtue of this appointment
without fear, favour, bias, affection, or prejudice. (SO HELP ME GOD).
Sworn/declared by the said ..........................................................................
Before me this ......................................day of ...............................................
...........................................
Judge.

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National Land Commission

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FOURTH SCHEDULE
[Section 19.]

MEETINGS AND PROCEDURE OF THE COMMISSION

1. Meetings
(1) The Commission shall decide when and where it meets and the meetings
shall be convened by the chairperson.
(2) The Commission shall have at least four meetings in every financial year
and not more than four months shall elapse between one meeting and the next
meeting.
(3) Unless three quarters of the members otherwise agree, at least seven days
notice in writing of a meeting shall be given to every member.
(4) A meeting shall be presided over by the chairperson or in the absence of
the chairperson, by the vice-chairperson of the Commission.
(5) The members of the Commission shall elect a vice-chairperson from among
themselves
(a) at the first sitting of the Commission; and
(b) whenever it is necessary to fill the vacancy in the office of the vicechairperson.
(6) The chairperson shall, on the written application of one-third of members,
convene a special meeting of the Commission.
(7) The Commission may invite any person to attend any of its meetings and to
participate in its deliberations, but such person shall not have a vote in any decision
of the Commission.
2. Conflict of interest
(1) If a person has a personal or fiduciary interest in any matter before the
Commission, and is present at a meeting of the Commission or any committee at
which such a matter is the subject of consideration, that person shall as soon as
is practicable after the commencement of the meeting, declare such interest and
shall not take part in any consideration or discussion of, or vote on any question
touching such matter.
(2) A disclosure of interest made under sub-paragraph (1) shall be recorded in
the minutes of the meeting at which it is made.
(3) A person who contravenes sub-paragraph (1) commits an offence and
is liable, upon conviction, to a fine not exceeding three million shillings, or to
imprisonment for a term not exceeding seven years, or to both such fine and
imprisonment.
(4) No member or staff of the Commission shall transact any business or trade
with the Commission.
3. Quorum
(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2), the quorum of the meeting shall not be less
than half of the members.

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(2) Where there is a vacancy in the Commission, the quorum of the meeting
shall not be less than three members.
4. Voting
A question before the Commission shall be decided by a majority of the
members.
5. Rules of procedure and minutes
The Commission shall
(a) determine rules of procedure for the conduct of its business; and
(b) keep minutes of its proceedings and decisions.

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