NAIROBI, Kenya- The Institution of Surveyors of Kenya (ISK) has issued a warning following the recent loss of security papers used for printing title deeds at the Government Printer.
This incident, according to ISK, has the potential to severely undermine the integrity of land ownership in Kenya and escalate the risk of land fraud across the country.
In response, ISK is calling on the government to act swiftly and decisively to mitigate any possible repercussions.
Although the Lands Ministry has reassured the public that the titling process remains secure, the ISK remains concerned about the implications of these missing documents.
The ISK is urging the government to prioritize efforts in recovering the stolen security papers and ensure that they are never used for any land registration, even if recovered.
The institution is also calling for a thorough investigation to track down those responsible for the theft, emphasizing that anyone found culpable should face prosecution.
Furthermore, ISK has recommended the strengthening of security protocols at the Government Printer and other critical institutions to prevent future incidents.
The potential for abuse of these papers could lead to fraudulent land ownership claims, causing further issues in Kenya’s already complex land registration system.
In addition to physical security measures, ISK has proposed the adoption of digital title deeds that could be securely stored in centralized databases.
This, they argue, would greatly reduce the risk of theft or damage to land titles, with paper copies used solely as reference documents. This shift would modernize Kenya’s land registry system and provide an additional layer of protection against fraud.
As part of a broader effort to tackle land fraud, ISK is also advocating for a public education campaign to raise awareness about the risks of fraudulent activities. They stress the importance of verifying the authenticity of land registration documents—such as title deeds, survey plans, and deed plans—before completing any transactions.
The institution advises members of the public to exercise caution and report any discrepancies immediately to authorities.
ISK further echoed concerns raised by the Ministry of Lands regarding known individuals or groups involved in previous fraudulent land activities.
The institution is pushing for decisive action from the government to dismantle these cartels, which have long exploited weaknesses in the land registration system.
