Wahome faces tough questions over her relationship with NLC

Alice Wahome, nominee for the Position of Lands, Public Works ,Housing and Urban Development before the Committee on Appointments at the Mini Chambers, County Hall, Nairobi. August 1st ,2024 [Elvis Ogina, Standard]

Lands Cabinet Secretary nominee Alice Wahome had a hard time explaining her office’s relationship with the National Land Commission when she appeared for vetting Thursday.

Wahome who appeared before the vetting committee chaired by National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula was challenged over claims that she has never held a formal meeting with NLC commissioners.

She was also put on the spot over the proposal for a levy on freehold land when she was at the helm of the ministry. Concerned MPs warned that ancestral land should not be converted into leasehold without robust public participation.

Matungulu MP Stephen Mule criticised the bill from the Ministry of Lands, which aimed to levy ancestral land, stating that Kenyans could not accept such a proposal as it was wrong.

“It was wrong for the CS for Lands to want to determine a levy by private landowners. The CS nominee should admit that seeking Parliament’s guidance to justify it was wrong,” said Mule.

She was also questioned about the controversial affordable housing project, which some members felt only benefited major towns while rural areas were ignored.

Wahome told the vetting committee that 106,000 youths have been employed under the affordable housing programme, and 48,000 housing units are in different stages of construction across the country. She assured that the programme would extend to rural areas.

Wahome was responding to Pokot South MP David Pkosing, who asked her to state the housing plan for rural areas. Wahome affirmed that rural communities are also entitled to decent housing and that the programme would reach them.

Kilifi North MP Owen Baya questioned Wahome about her interactions with NLC commissioners regarding various sector issues. She denied any lack of meetings, claiming she had met the chairperson and commissioners several times. However, she acknowledged that the commission might be facing challenges.

“I want to assure this vetting committee that I have no problems with NLC. I have met with the chairperson and commissioners several times. However, I must admit that the commission faces challenges that may affect its mandate,” said Wahome.

Cordial relations

Suna East MP Junet Mohammed argued that it was public knowledge that her office sought to usurp the powers of the NLC. Wahome denied this, stating her office had never had challenges dealing with the commission and that she enjoyed cordial relations with the commissioners.

There was a light moment when Wetang’ula asked Wahome to state her net worth. She took some time to respond, prompting the Speaker to wonder if she did not know her worth and had to refer to documents. Wahome explained that the property was jointly owned by her husband.

The CS revealed to the committee that her net worth was Sh327 million, compared to Sh218 million when she was vetted to join the Cabinet in October 2022. She attributed the Sh109 million increase to the rise in property values over the past 20 months.

National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichungwah asked Wahome what she would do to prevent rampant land-grabbing across the country and urged her to work with the NLC to tackle the issue, which has become a source of pain for many Kenyans.

Wahome revealed that powerful cartels in the land sector do not respect title deeds, some using superimposed signatures. She shared her experience dealing with fraud in the ministry and vowed to continue if approved for office.

“The issue of missing land files will be a thing of the past with the introduction of a new digital system,” said Wahome.