This archive report was first published on 3 October 2019.
On October 3, 2018, President Kenyatta gazetted the appointment of a new National Land Commission team, led by Gerishom Otachi, to serve for a non-renewable six-year term.
However, the Employment and Labour Relations Court intervened, issuing an order to stop the swearing-in of the new team, just hours after the President's announcement.
The court's decision came in response to a petition filed by an unknown party, which will be heard and determined in due course.
Gerishom Otachi, the newly appointed NLC Chairman, has a background in law and previously served as the chair of the Geothermal Development Corporation.
He was also part of the defence team for six Kenyans, including President Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto, who were charged with crimes against humanity at the ICC.
The President's new NLC team also includes former Nyeri Town MP Esther Murugi, Prof James Tuitoek, Getrude Nduku Nguku, Reginald Okumu, former Labour Cabinet Secretary Samuel Kazungu Kambi, Ms Hubbie Hussein Al-Haji, Mr Alister Murimi Mutugi, and former Isiolo Woman Rep Tiya Galgalo.
Interestingly, the National Assembly had previously rejected sections of a report by the lands committee that rejected Galgalo's nomination, citing her alleged failure to file tax returns in 2017.
