Alice Wahome, the Cabinet Secretary for Lands, Public Works, Housing, and Urban Development, has recently come on headlines after missing seven important Senate meetings that were meant to address various public land petitions.
Her most recent absence, which she attributed to official duties in Washington, USA, has raised even more concerns. Senators have been quick to criticize Wahome, accusing her of undermining their work and failing to give land-related issues the attention they deserve.
The Senate Committee on Lands, which is chaired by Mombasa Senator Faki Mohamed, has now summoned Wahome to appear before them on May 15. Faki expressed frustration, stating that they had planned to deliberate on seven petitions and 28 statements on behalf of Kenyans, but her absence was obstructing their progress.
According to Faki, the lack of cooperation from the ministry has only made things worse, as land-related issues continue to pile up across the country with no clear resolution in sight. “Her continuous absence is sabotaging our efforts,” Faki remarked.
Senator Faki did not hold back in his criticism, even warning that if Wahome failed to show up for the meeting, she could be fined up to Sh500,000. The Senate committee is under pressure to address various land grievances, and the public expects action.
The absence of the relevant ministry is seen as a big hurdle in dealing with these pressing matters.The committee has already taken action by visiting several locations to investigate complaints.
One notable stop was Kisii, where squatters have raised concerns about being evicted from their ancestral land by Kalro, a government body. In Ndhiwa, residents have petitioned Parliament due to pollution in the lake, which is severely affecting their livelihoods.
Busia has also been at the center of controversy, with questions raised about a county project where Sh24 million was allegedly spent on a water pan that experts believe should have only cost around Sh3 million.
Taita Taveta has also witnessed a major land dispute. The government had attempted to acquire land from the Wananchi Ranching Company, but a court ruling declared the transfer of the land to the Settlement Fund Trustees as invalid.
Justice E.K. Wabwoto ruled that the squatters who had settled there must be removed, adding another layer of complexity to an already challenging situation.
Senator Faki further pointed out that even in Mombasa, where the committee had been working to address historical land injustices, the ministry’s lack of cooperation had slowed down progress.
“The Lands Ministry has been a big letdown,” Faki commented, echoing the sentiments of many who are frustrated with the ongoing delays.
Wahome’s repeated absences have drawn widespread criticism, and it remains to be seen whether her upcoming appearance before the Senate will help resolve the growing frustration.
With so many unresolved land issues and a growing public outcry, the pressure on Wahome to act is mounting. If the ministry continues to neglect its responsibilities, the consequences could be severe, not only for the public but also for the political future of those in charge.