Prof. Kibwana- Lands Minister

I am particurlarly impressed by the Companies Registry at Sheria House which has recently been restructured and had its service halls renovated to give a modern look.The companies' registry has also been computerised, an improvement that greatly aids and hastens the retrieval of information at the Companies registry.

But that should not be the end of the modernising efforts. Kenyans should soon be able to search out company information such as directorships, shareholding, name search and even reports online. We must remember also that a company's file should properly be public information and that everyone with an interest in doin go, should be able to look up and peruse these documents. It would also be prudent to enable companies to file Annual Returns online. This would achieve greater ease for investors to comply with this filing requirement and also ease the Registrar's ability to de-register defunct companies.

Coming back to lan. The lands registry should also be computerised and an online search facility enabled.While it is true that the ministry has begun an attempt at computerisation of the registry as a strategic objective, this is being implemented at snail's pace. This fact diminishes the reassuring effects for those transacting in lands, which is the main reason for undertaking the modernisation efforts in the first place. Land is a very precious commodity and with all the fraud in our country; it is important that investors/purchasers are able, at a click, to confirm the ownership and status of particular plots of lands before commiting resources to the purchase efforts. The delays and hustle at the registry forces many land transactions to fall through mid-way as uncertainties and added costs burden both parties.

In addition to the time savings, computerisation efforts will also curtail corruption to a large extent, saving time, energy and other expenses for the mwananchi. It ought to be embarrassing in this century for the government and the ministry to have as an excuse for non-delivery of this vital service, the fact that a photocopier has broken down. Shame on you  Kivutha Kibwana and shame onyour Permanent secretary Mr Kombo Mwero. The continued ineptitude displayed by the staff at the lands registry continues to hinder economic growth and deter the very important trade in land and  buildings.  This is a matter of great importance to the wider economy, and the savings from efficiency would have far reaching effects across the board. The economy should not be denied the gains that would come from a greater employment of modern technology on account of civil servants who are caught up in a tradition of lethargy and poor service delivery.