This archive report was first published on 19 August 2019.
On August 19, 2019, President Uhuru Kenyatta nominated Advocate Gershom Otachi, a former member of the International Criminal Court (ICC) defence team, as the new National Land Commission chairperson.
Mr. Otachi, currently the chair of Geothermal Development Corporation, served in the defence team of six Kenyans, including Mr. Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto at the ICC for crimes against humanity.
ICC judges dismissed charges against the six Kenyans.
Mr. Otachi is set to succeed Dr. Muhammad Swazuri, whose six-year term came to an end in February 2019, amidst controversy over a multi-million shilling land deal.
The nomination was communicated by National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi, alongside four women and four other men that the President have nominated as NLC commissioners.
They include former Labour Secretary Kazungu Kambi, former Nyeri Town MP Esther Murugi, former Egerton University Vice-Chancellor James Tuitoek, and Getrude Nduku Nguku.
Other nominated commissioners are property valuer Reginald Okumu, Hubbie Hussein Al-Haji, Alister Murimi Mutugi, and former Isiolo woman Representative Tiya Galgalo.
