Bishop David Oginde, Chairperson of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), has urged land surveyors in Kenya to play a leading role in combating land corruption. Speaking at the Institution of Surveyors of Kenya Africa Regional Conference in Naivasha, Oginde emphasized the importance of upholding professional integrity and exercising due diligence in land management. He highlighted the long-lasting effects of land-related corruption on communities and future generations.
The EACC has warned that land corruption can deprive communities of public resources for generations. Oginde noted that land has historically been at the center of conflicts in Kenya. The commission has recently recovered several acres of public land that were fraudulently allocated to private individuals decades ago as part of its asset-recovery drive under the Strategic Plan.
Oginde reaffirmed the EACC's commitment to reclaiming public assets and protecting resources from unlawful acquisition and misuse. He called on surveyors to support the commission's efforts to recover public land. The EACC Chair's appeal places integrity at the center of discussions, emphasizing responsible land management as essential for protecting public resources.
The Institution of Surveyors of Kenya (ISK) has pledged to cooperate with the EACC in the fight against corruption. ISK President Eric Nyadimo stated that the professional body would maintain the highest standards following a Memorandum of Understanding signed with the EACC the previous month.
The two-day conference, themed "Catalysing Sustainable Investment: The Role of Surveyors in the Blue, Green, and Built Economies," examines the profession's contribution to sustainable investment, environmental protection, and infrastructure development. The conference brings together surveyors and stakeholders to discuss ways to promote sustainable development.
The EACC's efforts to combat land corruption are part of a broader strategy to promote good governance and accountability in Kenya. The commission has been working to recover public land and assets that have been unlawfully acquired or misused. Oginde's address to the conference emphasized the critical role that surveyors can play in supporting these efforts.
The conference provides a platform for surveyors and stakeholders to discuss the challenges and opportunities in land management and sustainable development. Key discussions will focus on the role of surveyors in promoting sustainable investment and environmental protection. The outcome of the conference is expected to contribute to efforts to promote responsible land management and sustainable development in Kenya.
Key points
- EACC Chair Bishop David Oginde urges land surveyors to uphold integrity and support efforts to recover public land.
- Land corruption can have long-lasting effects on communities and future generations.
- The EACC has recovered several acres of public land that were fraudulently allocated to private individuals decades ago.
