Chairperson, National Land Commission

President William Ruto has appointed Dr. Abdillahi Saggaf Alawy as Chairperson of the National Land Commission (NLC), placing him at the centre of Kenya’s land governance architecture. His appointment positions him to oversee public land administration, historical land injustice reviews, compulsory acquisition processes, and land allocation oversight under Article 67 of the Constitution.

Dr. Alawy has a strong background in public administration and governance. He has held senior positions in county government, including County Executive Committee Member for Lands and Physical Planning in Mombasa County. There, he worked on land management reforms, planning, and strengthening institutions. His experience in land governance and public service is a key reason for his appointment.

Dr. Alawy holds a PhD in Agricultural Education from Ohio State University and has experience in public-sector leadership, land policy, and administration. His appointment comes as the NLC faces increased scrutiny over land adjudication, compensation claims, and its work with the Ministry of Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development.

His leadership at the NLC arrives at a critical time. The commission is presently managing infrastructure-related land acquisitions, reviewing historical land injustice claims, and dealing with public scrutiny over land titling and urban development.

His tenure is expected to focus on restoring institutional credibility, enhancing transparency in land transactions, accelerating the resolution of pending land disputes, and aligning land governance with Kenya’s broader development and infrastructure agenda.