The State Department for Lands and Physical Planning in Kenya has won six awards at the 2026 Digital Transformation Public Sector (DTPS) Forum and Awards. The department was named State Department of the Year and received recognition for its digital platforms and initiatives. Cabinet Secretary for Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development Alice Wahome commended the department's performance, citing its efforts to improve government services through digitization and automation.
The National Stamp Duty Module (NSDM) emerged first runner-up in the Best Digital Innovation, Financial and E-Commerce Services category, while ArdhiPay won the Best Digital Inclusion and Accessibility award. Ardhisasa was recognized for Digital Communications Excellence, and the National Land Information Management System (NLIMS) won Best Collaborative Government Digital Initiative. The department's achievements reflect its commitment to digital transformation and service delivery.
Wahome attributed the department's success to digital transformation, strengthened anti-corruption measures, inter-agency collaboration, and teamwork. She urged staff to build on the gains and use the 2026 Customer Service Week theme, "The Extra Mile," to put citizens at the center of service delivery. The department's performance was not limited to awards, with Wahome pointing to its implementation of large-scale programs such as the national land titling program.
The national land titling program has distributed 300,000 title deeds to beneficiaries across six counties during its first phase. President William Ruto directed the State Department to sustain the momentum through the Rapid Response Initiative and process an additional 200,000 title deeds by December. The department's recognition at the Africa Digital Economy Awards and its performance in the Public Service Commission's assessment also underscore its excellence.
Principal Secretary for Lands and Physical Planning Generali Nixon Korir said the awards reflected the collective efforts of staff to improve service delivery and institutional performance. Korir noted that digitization and automation had helped seal administrative loopholes that previously contributed to delays and created opportunities for corruption. The reforms have also improved efficiency and contributed to increased revenue generation within the department.
The State Department has engaged stakeholders in the land sector during the Customer Service Week, with tailored workshops targeting lawyers, bankers, physical planners, surveyors, and other professionals. Wahome said the department would continue to focus on improving service delivery while sustaining the digitization of land-related services. The department's efforts aim to put citizens at the center of service delivery.
The department's achievements demonstrate its commitment to excellence and service delivery. Key initiatives, such as the national land titling program and digitization of land-related services, have improved efficiency and revenue generation. The department's recognition at various awards underscores its performance and commitment to putting citizens first.
Key points
- The State Department for Lands and Physical Planning won six awards at the 2026 Digital Transformation Public Sector (DTPS) Forum and Awards.
- The department distributed 300,000 title deeds to beneficiaries across six counties during the first phase of the national land titling program.
- The department's success is attributed to digital transformation, strengthened anti-corruption measures, inter-agency collaboration, and teamwork.
