What You Need to Know About Digitization of Land Records
The long-awaited Digitization of Land records in Kenya has been finally been launched By Cabinet Secretary for Lands, Farida Karoney.
According to data from the Ministry of Lands, in 2017, 7,052 cases of property fraud were reported. This would cost the economy Ksh 60B annually.
While this costs the Kenyan economy billions, landowners end up being victims. At times, the cases end up makes the land lie idle and unutilized.
These fraud cases could be traced back to fraudsters. who took advantage of the manual system to tamper with data.
Recently President Uhuru Kenyatta and CS Farida Karoney unveiled a National Land Information and Management System. The system is known as Ardhisasa and it will allow Kenyans to carry out land transactions online.
This is a commendable step towards the full digitization of land records in Kenya. Below are the benefits of digitization of land records to landowners and Land Selling Companies.
Availability of a single source of truth on land-based information
To begin with, this will enhance the accessibility and security of land records across the country. It will also reduce human interactions and delays.
In the long run, it will reduce land transaction costs, minimize and ultimately eliminate opportunities for fraud.
Reduce time taken to process documents at the Land’s Registry
Ardhisasa Platform will reduce the property registration process from 12 to 5 steps. Additionally, it will also reduce the time for the registration of documents from 7 to 3 days.
Further, it will allow tracking of documents such as registration and valuation through text messages.
Eliminate duplication of title deeds
Thirdly, the system will seal loopholes in the land registration and transfer process. The two have previously witnessed duplication of land title deeds.
This will go further to maintain the sanctity of title deeds to landowners.
Enhance Investor confidence
The system will enhance investor confidence. It will now take few days to register property. This will protect investors and property owners from fraudulent land transactions.
This will go a long way in attracting more stakeholders in the real estate sector.
Increase access to credit
Title Deed verification is a key step that financial institutions take when processing loans. This is especially true when using title deeds as collateral.
This system will enhance access to land-based information and unlock property owners’ financial potential.
This will fast-track access to credit facilities by landowners.
Fast track title deed processing to investors.
Digitization will fast-track title deed processing for investors who will easily invest in real estate. This will in turn lead to massive residential and commercial developments by investors who can now verify details online.
In the long term, Kenyans living abroad will be sending more money to real estate investments. This is because they will be able to verify details online.
Relieve innocent Kenyans from exploitation by cartels, middlemen and fraudsters.
However, this digitization has only been done in Nairobi Registry. We hope they will extend this digitization to all registries in Kenya so that all Kenyans can benefit from it.
Kenyans have all the reasons to smile with the recent changes in the ministry of lands in Nairobi. They are now secure with their land properties.
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