Kisii and Nyamira counties have each received a state-of-the-art geospatial information laboratory, valued at KSh 30 million, in a significant move to curb land fraud, streamline land governance, and enhance the monitoring of county staff. The laboratories, equipped with advanced mapping and satellite data systems, were officially handed over on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in partnership with the European Union.

The initiative is part of the broader Digital Land Governance Programme, which seeks to integrate geospatial data and technologies into land administration, planning, and resource management across Kenya's 47 counties.

Addressing Land Irregularities and Boosting Revenue

Kisii Governor Simba Arati highlighted that the new lab will be instrumental in tackling land irregularities, overseeing ongoing construction projects, and improving revenue collection. He further indicated plans to incorporate biometric systems for monitoring county employees to ensure accountability.

Similarly, Nyamira Governor Amos Nyaribo pledged continued collaboration with FAO and the EU to deepen digital governance and sustainable development within Nyamira.

The labs are designed to enable county governments to collect, analyse, and store accurate spatial data related to land ownership, boundaries, and resource distribution.

Historical Context of Land Fraud in Kenya

Land fraud remains a pervasive issue across Kenya, characterised by falsification of title deeds, land grabbing, boundary alterations, and illegal acquisition of public land. A baseline survey on land-related crimes in Kenya identified interfering with land boundaries, trespass, land fraud, forcible entry, and land-related forgery as the most prevalent offences. Causes often include greed, land grabbing, delays in title deed issuance, and fraudulent multiple land sales.

Previous efforts to digitise land records have been ongoing since 2018, with the Ministry of Lands aiming for full digitisation by 2029, at an estimated cost of KSh 35 to 40 billion. The digitisation process is seen as a critical tool to enhance transparency, secure land records, and improve service delivery.

Policy and Governance Framework

The establishment of these geospatial labs aligns with Section 107 of the County Government Act, 2012, which mandates county governments to prepare a ten-year GIS-based spatial plan as a component of their County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP). This legislation underscores the importance of GIS in determining planning needs and bridging the gap between current situations and desired future outcomes.

The FAO Deputy Country Representative, Hamisi Williams, stated that the labs would enhance transparency in land transactions and support data-driven planning. He noted that a key component of the Land Governance Programme is the digitisation of land titles to enhance land security.

Stakeholder Perspectives and Testimonies

Dr. Grace Nyarang'o, Kisii County Executive Committee Member for Lands, Physical Planning, Housing, and Urban Development, welcomed the donation, anticipating more efficient revenue collection and easier access to digital land information for landowners.

The integration of biometric systems for staff monitoring, as mentioned by Governor Arati, signifies a broader push for accountability within county administrations. This move is expected to address concerns about ghost workers and improve service delivery.

Evidence and Data

• Value of Each Lab: KSh 30 million
• Implementing Partners: Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and European Union (EU)
• Programme Duration: The Land Governance Programme has been ongoing for seven years, with a second phase aiming to cover all 47 counties.
• Digitisation Progress: As of August 2025, approximately 33% of land in Kenya is registered, with the Ministry of Lands working towards digitising all records by 2029.

Risks and Implications

While the introduction of geospatial labs offers significant benefits, potential risks include data security and privacy concerns. Safeguarding location-based information requires robust access control, encryption, and compliance with data protection laws. Kenya's Data Protection Act 2019 and the proposed Data Protection (General) Regulations 2021 provide a framework for data localisation and protection, though implementation remains crucial.

The success of these labs also hinges on sustained budgetary support and human resource capacity building, as highlighted by experiences in other counties like Vihiga, where institutionalisation within government structures and dedicated budgetary allocation proved vital for longevity.

Unknowns and Controversies

The exact timelines for full implementation of the biometric staff monitoring systems in Kisii and Nyamira remain unclear. Additionally, the specific mechanisms for public access to the digitised land information and the safeguards against potential misuse of such data require further clarification.

Timeline and Next Steps

The handover of the labs occurred on Wednesday, October 8, 2025. The second phase of the Land Governance Programme aims to extend similar geospatial infrastructure to all remaining counties. Continuous training for county officials on GIS and remote sensing is also underway, with over 200 officials already trained by April 2025.

What to Watch

Observers will be keenly watching the effectiveness of these labs in reducing land fraud cases and improving service delivery in Kisii and Nyamira. The integration of biometric systems for staff monitoring and its impact on accountability will also be a key area of focus. Furthermore, the progress of the national land digitisation initiative towards its 2029 target will be closely monitored.