Uhuru Nominates Lawyer Gershom Otachi as New National Lands Commission Chair

Lawyer Gershom Otachi Omanwa was on Monday nominated as the new National Land Commission (NLC) Chairperson.

President Kenyatta picked Otachi from a group of 11 Kenyans who had been shortlisted for the coveted position.

Otachi, who appeared for Kenyan suspects at the International Criminal Court (ICC), had been shortlisted alongside former Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) boss John Njiraini, land expert Dr. Mwenda Makathimo, land surveyor Robert Kilimo, and UN-Habitat consultant Patrick Adolwa.

Others were former Gatanga MP Dr. Humphrey Njuguna, Commissioner of the Advocates Complaints Commission Naomi Wagereka, and former Isiolo Woman Representative Tiyah Galgalo Ali.

If approved by the National Assembly, Otachi will take over from former NLC Chair Muhammad Swazuri whose six-year term expired in February 2019.

Kenyatta also nominated nine members to the commission, including four women and five men. They include former Labour Cabinet Secretary Kazungu Kambi, Esther Murugi Mathenge, James K. Tuitoek, Getrude Nduku Nguku, Reginald Okumu, Hubbie Hussein Al-Haji, Alister Murimi Mutugi, and Tiya Galgalo.