NAIVASHA, Kenya – Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) Chairperson David Oginde has challenged surveyors to protect public land from corruption, warning that unethical decisions in land ownership and management can have consequences that persist for generations.
Speaking as chief guest at the Institution of Surveyors of Kenya (ISK) Africa Regional Conference in Naivasha, Oginde said professionals involved in surveying and land administration had a responsibility to safeguard the public interest in a sector that has historically been a source of conflict in Kenya.
“The tragedy of land-related corruption has serious consequences that can endure for a very long time,” Oginde said, urging practitioners to exercise diligence and professionalism when handling decisions affecting land ownership, use and management.
His remarks placed professional ethics at the centre of discussions on sustainable investment, with surveyors playing a critical role in land administration, property valuation, spatial planning and infrastructure development.
EACC Steps Up Focus on Recovering Public Assets
Oginde also highlighted asset recovery as a key pillar of the commission’s strategic plan, reaffirming its commitment to reclaiming public assets.
The warning comes amid continued efforts by the EACC to pursue the recovery of land alleged to have been illegally allocated to private entities.
In September 2026, the commission was reported to be pursuing the recovery of two parcels of public land in Naivasha valued at a combined Sh1.3 billion. The parcels had allegedly been allocated unlawfully to private entities, with the cases before the Environment and Land Court in Nakuru.
The cases underscore the stakes involved in land administration, where professional records, boundary identification, valuation and ownership documentation can have significant implications for public resources.
Oginde urged surveyors to uphold integrity in their work and help preserve Kenya’s land heritage for future generations.
ISK Pledges Cooperation With Anti-Graft Commission
ISK President Eric Nyadimo called on members to maintain professional standards and reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to working with the EACC to address integrity challenges in the land sector.
The two institutions signed a Memorandum of Understanding in September 2026 to strengthen cooperation in promoting ethical practices and tackling fraud and illegal activities in the land and built-environment sectors.
The partnership is expected to support collaboration in corruption prevention, professional ethics, capacity building, information sharing and public awareness.
The collaboration brings together the anti-graft commission’s enforcement and prevention mandate and the surveying profession’s role in producing and managing information that informs land transactions and development decisions.
Sustainable Investment Takes Centre Stage
The conference, held at Lake Naivasha Resort from October 27 to 30, 2026, is themed “Catalyzing Sustainable Investment: The Role of Surveyors in the Blue, Green, and Built Economies.”
It brings together professionals to examine how surveying and related disciplines can support investment in land and natural resources, environmental protection, climate resilience and infrastructure.
Surveyors contribute to these areas through land-tenure information, geospatial data, valuation, planning and monitoring of development projects.
Oginde’s message reinforces the need for integrity to accompany these technical responsibilities. Accurate records and professional independence are essential to responsible land management, while corruption can undermine public ownership, weaken trust and expose communities to prolonged disputes.
The EACC and ISK partnership is intended to strengthen accountability in a sector where decisions made by professionals can shape land use and development long after individual projects are completed.
