Corruption at Ardhi House/Ministry Of Lands

Nothing justifies the delaying in endorsing a Change of User on a Title for 10 years! Yet that has been the case that i have personally witnessed while trying to process a change of User for a prime plot in parklands from residential into commercial(i mean this is a process that potential investors would want done in the list bit of time in order to initiate development on a piece of land yet at the lands office it seems to be a favor ) .The actual process after City Council approvals began in 2001. I joined my present employer in 2005 and since then i have been pushing for the endorsement of change of user and trust me the file has been dissapearing and re-appearing several times.I have actually placed one clerk to the issue, compelled our advocate's firm to formally complain on several occasions but yet there has been no headway!

This is just but one example of what thousands of Kenyans are going through on a daily basis due to an inept and corrupt department at the lands office.The problem is that sufficient attention is not being placed to this vice at the Lands Registry. Anti Corruption sleuths visit the lands registry infrequently often when a "higher power's" work has been hindered then dissappear with little or no effect to the corruption cartels.

I heard the Permanent Secretary in the lands ministry speak of the efforts they are putting in place to stem the malignant and systemic corruption at the lands office but i believe these efforts are lacklustre and simply lilliputian. I mean what can be more effective than sending some of this inept staff home-the records bear witness where some of this work stalls. Searches take months if not years in certain instances.It is very possible to trace who is not working at the lands office. In fact a trip there in the rescent past confirmed that there are Civil servants who come in the morning ,leave their coats on the chair and vamoose to their private concerns.This is especially so in the customer care counter and the banking hall, leaving you to wonder why is it there in the first place.

My take is that Kenya's Netizens should take up the challenge to fight corruption by highlighting incidences and events whereby public officials have simply been lacksaidical in performing their duties or outrightly solicited for bribes.We must not leave the status quo to prevail or aid and abet the practice of corruption.We have clearly seen how Social Media has been used to effect Social Change in Africa therefore stand up against corruption.Mulika those errant officials who do not want to change with the times.

If you are on twitter and believe that you will no longer stomach corruption at the lands ministry please use the handle #CorruptionArdhiHse to voice and aggregate your concern(please re tweet, Facebook... etc ensure you create a buzz ).We must simply not allow this to continue un abated.It is for your greater good that if you read this you do something about it.Do not underestimate the social media front.Engage your legislator online about this.Its not just business as usual.


Kenya Anti Corruption Authority & Social Media:
Thumbs down to Kenya Anti Corruption Commission- in this day and age you dont have a Social Media contact i.e Facebook, Twitter ...etc nor are your top officials available on these mediums whereas the majority of Kenyans are using these platforms to share their concerns.Where is the E-Governance strategy and policy headed......shame on you.

KACC PLO Lumumba follow the Chief Justice 's Willy Mutunga's lead and get a Twitter Address! 

Who Owns What In Kenya-A Bold Expose!

In a bold and rather unprecedented move: Kenya's online ombudsman Mars Group Website has published the names of five prominent Kenyan politicians on allegations of Grand corruption and looting of public resources. 

The Mars Kenya expose lists in detail who owns what,where, their business covers and associates. Whereas main stream media may not take such a bold step in matters which are largely within public knowledge; seeing that Kenya has outlandish laws both civil and criminal on defamatory matters. Mars group Kenya's gallant efforts are astounding. The expose comes complete with a slide show that is quite eye catchy.I admire the guts of Mwalimu Mati he has dared to go where the men refused to go....!

Mars Group Org-Kenya's Online Ombudsman!!!

In this post i would like to recognize and acknowledge perhaps the most influential blog in Kenya that is: Mwalimu Mati's Media Analysis and Research Group (Mars group Org) website for its gallant efforts to fight, expose and sensitize the online public against the biggest threat to Kenya's social coherence and development to wit: CORRUPTION!!!!

Very little is known or is available about the biography of Mwalimu Mati except for his efforts, bravery and frequent expose' on corruption especially during his hey days as the Executive Director of Transparency International before some concerted effort were made to oust him on allegations of graft.He has had brushes with the law, its enforcement officers and even engaged top ministers in the current and previous Government on their corrupt dealings.He exposes corruption for the vice that it really is, an enemy of society, frequently puts himself in harms way to ensure that the ordinary Mwananchi's rights, freedoms and possessions are safeguarded by the high and mighty!Mwalimu Mati and his comrades educate the lay public on issues of law that they hardly know its import such as " the irrevocable promissory notes",Quite selfless in his approach and his website is ingenious in addressing the issue of corruption by public authorities.He may not have been appointed by the executive or the legislature but his role as an online ombudsman far exceeds statutory bodies such as the Kenya Anti Corruption Commission, though the latter continues to rake in so much funding from the central Government with little to show for it!

True to its adage "watching out for you"Mars Group Org has been relentless in ensuring it watches out for Kenyan Civil Liberties and freedom.The website frequently publishes reports on corruption such as Ndungu Land Commission Report, Kroll Report, extracts from Wiki leaks,Githongo's Dossier on Anglo Leasing etc...The blog also has an interactive column where members of the public air their opinion, media clips are uploaded,a cartoon column gives corruption a human face, and of course subscribers get regurlar email updates.Mars group is right on -on its spotlight on corruption. While very little is known/atleast available online with regards to Mwalimu Mati one thing is certain ;he is a true defender of public interest Kudos to him!