Surveyors call for transition to mathematically defined boundaries to resolve land disagreements

NURU SOUD AND SADIK HASSAN-KNA 

Surveyors are calling for a shift from general boundary ser vices to mathematically established boundaries to address the underlying issue of land disputes. 

Speaking in Mombasa during the Ninth Institution of Surveyors of Kenya (ISK) Africa Regional Conference 2024, ISK President Eric Nyadimo explained that general boundaries are traditionally established and are not mapped accurately. 

He noted that mathematically established boundaries would ensure land records are managed under a single system, creating a more seamless space within the surveying sector. 

Nyadimo also announced that the institution had completed the work of the 2021 task force, which was formed by former Cabinet Secretary for Lands Farida Karoney to address key challenges in the Lands sector. 

The institution has developed three documents, including the Survey and Marketing Bill 2021, the Land Surveyors’ Registration Bill 2021, and the Survey and Mapping Policy 2021. 

“These documents are still within the Ministry of Lands and have not progressed beyond that, yet there is a need for the bills to be enacted and for a survey policy to be established. 

Through these documents, we were able to investigate the entire spectrum of survey and mapping and analyze all the problems facing the sector,” Nyadimo said. 

He added that the bills also address the issue of professionalism within the surveying sector by including requirements for registration and li censing upon entering the industry. 

To combat the issue of quacks, he said, ISK is working closely with the regulatory boards within the Lands sector. 

“We are encouraging members of the public to report to us incidents where they have procured services from somebody who has failed to deliver on what is re quired of them so that we can investigate,” Nyadimo stated. 

The two-day conference was themed “Adapt. Thrive. Sustain: The future of land and built environment in the face of change”, was a platform for regional and international leaders in the land and built environment to unite, share insights and work collaboratively to wards a vision. 

“From cutting edge technological advancements to visionary policies in land management and urban development we will explore diverse strategies to foster resilience and innovation,” Nyadimo said. 

Mombasa CECM for Lands, Housing and Physical Planning Mohammed Hussein said the county government is putting up various measures to settle the perennial issue of land disputes within the region citing the “Ardhi Fund” as one of the mitigations projected to pass at the County Assembly of Mombasa. 

“We are working closely with the Ministry of Lands and the National Lands Commission to ensure that disputes are minimal. 

We are setting up laws to enable us to settle the squatters and ensure that investors do not endure losses upon buying land,” he said.