Local residents seeking land transfer consents in Rachuonyo East Sub County, Homa Bay County have described the process as openly corrupt, with some reporting that they were pressured to part with large sums of money before their documents could be reviewed and approved.
According to one complainant, the situation at the Kosele-based Land Control Board office in Oyugis has become worse than what is typically experienced at police stations, where bribes are often solicited behind closed doors. Residents in Rachuonyo East Sub County are calling out corruption at the local Land Control Board, where bribes are reportedly demanded before land transfer consents are granted.
Elderly residents attempting to transfer parcels of land to their children are among the most affected, with board members allegedly demanding bribes in addition to the official booking fees already paid to the Lands Office.
Witnesses said the board’s demands are non-negotiable and described a bargaining process where applicants are pressured to part with unofficial payments before being granted consent. This conduct is said to have taken place during Thursday’s sitting of the Land Control Board in Rachuonyo East.
The complainant questioned the role of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), accusing the agency of focusing only on high-profile investigations in Nairobi while ignoring blatant graft at grassroots institutions. "Hallo Nyakundi. So today was a land board at Rachuonyo East Sub County, the level of corruption here is worse and open than a police station where you are asked point blank to pay a sum up to Kshs. 10,000/= for your documents to me checked and be given consent for land transfer. Senior citizens who wish to transfer their parcel to the children have to go through this despite paying for board booking fees to the lands at Kosele Offices in Oyugis, It is sad!!! and you have to bargain with the old board members for fair charges which doesn't go below Kshs.4000/= it is terribly sad !!!! WHAT IS EACC DOING IN NAIROBI WHILE CITIZENS ARE SUFFERING AT THE LOCAL LAND REGISTRIES."