This archive report was first published on 20 August 2019.
On August 20, 2019, President Uhuru Kenyatta nominated lawyer Gerishom Otachi to lead the National Land Commission for the next six years.
Mr. Otachi, a co-owner of Ogetto Otachi and Co. advocates, was part of former Police Commissioner Hussein Ali's legal team during his trial at the International Criminal Court at The Hague over the 2007/08 post-election violence.
The President's nomination comes after the six-year term of the previous commissioners expired on February 19, leaving Mr. Otachi with an enviable task of restoring the image of an agency whose reputation has been affected by claims of corruption.
According to Standing Order 45, the nomination will be committed to the Committee on Lands, chaired by Kitui South MP Rachel Nyamai, for vetting and approval.
The committee will conduct approval hearings on each of the nominees, including Mr. Otachi, and prepare a report to be tabled before the House for debate.
Mr. Otachi emerged top from a list of 11 individuals who had shown interest to replace Prof. Mahammad Swazuri, whose reign was marred by endless accusations of corruption.
