Nakuru County has officially rolled out a comprehensive land verification and validation exercise in Bahati and Dundori Trading Centres, signaling a major step toward resolving decades-long land ownership disputes and enhancing economic empowerment. The process, spearheaded by the County Government through its Department of Lands, Physical Planning, Housing, and Urban Development, targets over 1,000 plot owners who will be issued with legally recognized title deeds once the validation is complete.
Speaking during the launch, Nakuru CECM for Lands, Physical Planning, Housing and Urban Development, John Kihagi, emphasized that this initiative is part of a wider tenure regularization program aimed at confirming land ownership, improving land record accuracy, and ultimately accelerating title deed issuance. “The objective is to confirm physical locations and plot allotments to ensure legitimacy and accuracy in title issuance. This effort will help residents unlock access to credit, attract investors, and enhance overall development,” said Mr. Kihagi.
To ensure accuracy in land data, the county contracted Spatial Milestone Kenya to undertake the final technical phase involving mapping and geospatial verification of plots. Once this is complete, the documentation will be forwarded to the Survey of Kenya and the National Lands Commission (NLC) for final approval before titles are printed and issued.
Mr. Kihagi reiterated that Governor Susan Kihika’s administration is committed to unlocking land value in Nakuru through legal ownership and transparent processes. He added that the absence of title deeds in Bahati and Dundori has contributed to underdevelopment, with landowners unable to access loans or invest in permanent structures. “These regions have lagged behind economically because of informal land tenure. Title deeds are more than documents—they are keys to prosperity,” he noted.
Residents in both Bahati and Dundori have, for years, faced legal and social insecurity over their land due to the lack of formal documents. Many plots have changed hands informally, and others have been tied up in unresolved disputes. According to the County Lands Department, some of these cases date back to the 1980s.
To fast-track resolutions, the county has also trained land mediators to resolve disputes through Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) rather than lengthy court processes. “Statistics show that nearly 50% of pending court cases in the region are land-related. ADR mechanisms will help us resolve these matters quickly and equitably,” Kihagi noted.
Residents have been urged to participate actively in this final verification stage, with officials cautioning that no further verification rounds will be conducted. Committees representing both trading centres have been formed to work hand-in-hand with government officials to verify records, identify land use needs, and safeguard public spaces such as schools, health facilities, and markets.
Chief Officer for Lands and Physical Planning, Ms. Stella Mwaura, praised the county’s efforts to allocate adequate resources to finally resolve what has become a historical challenge in Nakuru. “We are witnessing progress in securing tenure for residents, especially squatters who have waited for decades to get these vital documents,” she said.
She added that land ownership opens doors to home improvement, better planning, infrastructure development, and generational wealth. “This initiative is not just about solving old problems—it’s about building the foundation for a stronger, more organized county,” Ms. Mwaura emphasized.
Governor Susan Kihika’s administration, in collaboration with national agencies, plans to replicate the process in other settlement schemes within Nakuru to ensure all residents enjoy secure tenure, a move expected to stimulate growth, especially in real estate and agriculture.
What Residents Should Know:
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The verification process involves document checks, plot boundary validation, and physical inspection by technical teams.
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Beneficiaries must present original documents (e.g., allotment letters, ID, and receipts) for cross-verification.
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No fees are required for this verification phase—residents are warned to report any fraudulent demands.
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After this stage, title deeds will be prepared and distributed during public issuance ceremonies.
This land verification and titling exercise represents one of Nakuru County’s most transformative governance actions in recent history. By addressing historical land issues and embracing digital land records, the initiative not only boosts economic opportunity but also enhances legal clarity, investor confidence, and community well-being. Residents of Bahati and Dundori now have a real chance to claim what is rightfully theirs and build a secure future.
