A parliamentary committee has raised questions after discovering that unknown individuals have illegally acquired multiple parcels of land belonging to the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA).
During a heated session on June 4 at Parliament Buildings, the National Assembly’s Public Investments Committee on Commercial Affairs & Energy revealed that 11 parcels of KCAA land in Mlolongo, Machakos County, had been irregularly allocated to private owners.
“This Committee has resolved that KCAA must immediately place a caution on the 11 disputed parcels at the Lands Registry as you proceed with legal action,” said Committee Chair Hon. David Pkosing (Pokot South), directing the aviation authority to secure title deeds for all its land holdings without further delay.
KCAA Director General Emile Arao confirmed to the committee that the illegally acquired land, originally part of a 160-acre plot housing the Central Transmission Station, has been unlawfully subdivided.
KCAA Land Grabbed
The disputed parcels now total just over 4.1 acres, all of which are registered under private ownership.
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“We reached out to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission in April 2022 and again in June 2023, seeking help to recover the illegally acquired land,” Arao told lawmakers, adding that the Survey of Kenya had verified the irregular allocations.
Despite these steps, MPs expressed deep frustration with the agency’s pace in reclaiming the land and criticized its failure to obtain court orders to prevent further encroachment.
“Why has it taken you so long to obtain a court injunction?” Pkosing asked.
Mwangi Kiunjuri (Laikipia East MP) warned of a dire legal scenario, saying KCAA could be treated as a trespasser on its own land if proper documentation is not secured.
“The person who holds the title deed is the legal owner. Without it, KCAA could be accused of squatting,” Kiunjuri noted, pushing for a field inspection to assess the situation on the ground.
Title Deeds Ownership
Additionally, Arao acknowledged that KCAA holds no title deeds for any of its land in Mlolongo, and efforts to conduct a land search at the Ministry of Lands have stalled.
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“The files are missing. We’ve received no response,” he said.
Kazungu Tungule (Ganze) demanded a breakdown of how 4.1271 acres could be lost from a 160-acre site, seeking clarity on the process that enabled the illegal subdivisions.
The committee also flagged other KCAA projects, including staff housing in Nyali, Bamburi and Miritini as areas requiring further audit.
MPs concluded the session by instructing the aviation regulator to pursue legal recovery options and to report back with concrete progress.
“This isn’t just about land,” Pkosing said. “It’s about the integrity of public asset management in this country.”
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