Kenya is among the countries that have continuously embraced innovation. From M-Pesa to TIMS (Transport Information Management System) innovations the country has made commendable progress in terms of mobile money transfer and vehicle transfer easier.
The Ministry of Land has not been left behind. They are gradually innovating key functions.
President Uhuru Kenyatta and CS Farida Karoney launched the National Land Information and Management System, known as Ardhisasa. This key innovation enables Kenyans to carry out land transactions online.
Let us explore the platform further.
What is Ardhisasa?
Basically, Ardhisasa is a national land information management system developed by the Ministry of Lands and Physical Planning in Kenya.
The platform is set to enable Kenyans to access credible, reliable and efficient land-based services.
Who can register on the Ardhisasa Platform?
The platform is open to all. An individual and a company can separately register on the system. This is because property transfer can be done between individuals, companies, individuals to a company and vice versa.
The system has a provision for both.
What are the documents required to register?
There are various documents required to register on the platform either as an individual or a company. These provide an opportunity to uniquely identify each party.
Documents required to register as an individual
- A serial number of your ID. A serial number is found on the back of your National ID.
- Official phone number registered using your National Identity Card.
- Personal email address
Documents required to register as a Company on Ardhisasa
- Company registration number – this means that a company needs to be legally registered in Kenya
- Official company phone number
- Company email address
Can a Foreigner register on Ardhisasa?
Foreigners who have a Kenyan ID can be able to register on the platform. However, those without a Kenyan ID will soon be able to register as the Ministry of Lands is working together with the Immigration Department to verify personal information.
Which services are being offered by Ardhisasa?
Land Registration
Registration of land in Kenya includes placing cautions/caveats on a property, registration and transfer of title deeds, replacement of title deeds, title deed search, payment of stamp duty and transfer of land.
All these processes are now available on Ardhisasa.
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Land Administration
To begin with land selling companies such as Username Investments Limited purchase land in bulk add value to it and subdivide to eighth-acre plots (50 x 100).
Previously such a process was manually done at the land registry but the Ardhisasa platform allows application for subdivision of land online.
Other activities being handled by the system under land administration include change of user, lease preparation, renewal of leases and placement of consents.
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Physical Planning
Land use plan preparations, approval of part development plans and issuance of compliance certificates will also be done on the portal.
Real Estate Developers will no longer have to manually submit documents rather the same will do online.
Ardhisasa has now made things easier for land investors across the city of Nairobi and its suburbs like Kangundo road
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Survey and Mapping
Previously, the combination of plots of land commonly known as amalgamation in Kenya involved the submission of hard copy documents at the Land’s Registry.
With the Ardhisasa Platform, the same will be done online. This will also include new land grants either by the government or individuals, change of land use and re-survey of land.
Generally, all details regarding the survey and mapping will be done online.
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Valuation
Land valuation before purchase, leasing or for purposes of access to credit was previously done manually.
Going forward valuation, government leasing, government purchase, estate administration and arbitration will be done via Ardhisasa.
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Adjudication processes and settlement of the same
There are a number of disputes related to land ownership. Previously, details of the same were available in a physical file.
Moving forward records of disputes and resolutions made on properties in Kenya will be available on Ardhisasa.
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Land Allocation
The government has the power to allocate land to individuals and companies. This allocation will now be done online on the National Land Management system.
In conclusion, the digitization of land records has been done successfully only in Nairobi Registry. Soon, the same will be rolled out in all land registries in Kenya.
