MPs order reclaim of grabbed state lodges land without delay

State House Comptroller Katoo ole Metito before the National Assembly Committee on Administration and Internal Security on February 24, 2026. [Elvis Ogina, Standard]

The National Assembly has directed State House Comptroller Katoo Ole Metito to expedite the reclamation of land earmarked for state lodges.

This follows revelations that land in Kisumu and Nakuru counties, earmarked for state lodges, had been grabbed by private individuals.

Administration and Internal Security Committee chairperson Gabriel Tongoyo, while condemning the rising cases of public land grabs, directed Katoo to repossess the land immediately.

Administration and Internal Security Committee chaired by Gabriel Tongoyo and vice chair Dido Raso for Consideration of BPS 2026 at Parliament Buildings, Nairobi on February 24, 2026. [Elvis Ogina, Standard]

The chairperson also noted that institutions such as the National Police Service face similar challenges and urged investigative agencies to hold the perpetrators accountable.

“It is alarming that people in this country have an unhealthy appetite for public land. Please move swiftly to reclaim this land so that Kenyans do not lose it,” Tongoyo stated.

Katoo, who appeared before MPs during discussions on the Budget Policy Statement, revealed that parts of the land in Kisumu and Nakuru had already been occupied, but efforts were underway to engage the occupants.

State House Comptroller Katoo ole Metito before the National Assembly Committee on Administration and Internal Security on February 24, 2026. [Elvis Ogina, Standard]

He explained that in some cases, individuals who had grabbed land intended for State lodges had acquired titles, but processes have been initiated to have them relinquished and the occupants compensated.

The Comptroller further disclosed that 100 acres of Kakamega State Lodge land, which had been grabbed, have since been reclaimed, noting that the facilities in Kisumu, Nakuru and Eldoret are the most affected by the land grabbing menace.

He, however, did not provide details of the grabbers, including their names or the acreage under illegal possession, but said he would furnish the committee with a comprehensive report on the status of the State Houses and lodges’ land across the country soon.

“The State House land in Kisumu has a residential house, apparently occupied by a Nominated MCA. We want to reclaim it and also renovate some of the facilities because they were rundown, starting with the one in Nairobi,” Katoo observed.

State House Comptroller Katoo ole Metito before the National Assembly Committee on Administration and Internal Security on February 24, 2026. [Elvis Ogina, Standard]

The committee, however, sought clarification on whether a building constructed adjacent to the Nakuru State House had been condemned.

“I heard that security experts advised that the building next to the Nakuru State House may not be fit to be there. Is that true?” Tongoyo asked.

In response, Katoo described the building as a security threat that needed urgent attention. He added that discussions were ongoing with the Nakuru county government to resolve the matter.“The State House land in Kisumu has a residential house, apparently occupied by a Nominated MCA. We want to reclaim it and also renovate some of the facilities because they were rundown, starting with the one in Nairobi,” Katoo observed.

“There is a very tall building next to the State House. I have seen reports previously indicating that the building is not fit for occupation,” Katoo reiterated.

The committee also heard that the State House plans to undertake 13 projects across State lodges and State Houses nationwide to improve, restore, and maintain physical infrastructure.