Introduction

On 12 January 2021, the Cabinet Secretary for Lands and Physical Planning announced the commencement of the conversion of land titles from the previous legal regimes to the current legal regime.

What the conversion process means for you

• Your title (if issued under the previous regimes) will be cancelled and replaced with a title under the current regime.
• You will now comply with a centralised land registration process under one regime in line with the Constitution.
• Registry Index Maps (RIMs) will replace deed plans as registration instruments with the aim of minimising land fraud.
• The size and the ownership of your property will not be affected by the conversion process.
• You will be allowed to apply for a conversion of your title where you have used your title as security.

The conversion of land titles will benefit the public in ensuring uniformity of land ownership in Kenya and minimising fraud.

Steps in the conversion process

• Preparation of cadastral maps and the conversion list indicating new and old numbers for parcels of land within a registration unit or registration section/block and their corresponding acreages.
• Gazettement of the conversion list by the Cabinet Secretary within 30 days of receipt.
• The registrar will issue a Notice to the Public to apply for replacement titles.
• Owners will then make applications for replacement/new titles.
• The registry will then replace old titles with the new titles.

Any person aggrieved by the conversion process has the right to file a complaint within 90 days from the date of the gazette notice.

You can access the gazette notice which lists some of the parcels of land being converted within the Nairobi Land Registration Unit here. All transactions or dealings relating to the parcels in the notice shall be carried out in the new registers, effective 1 April 2021.

You can also access the cadastral maps for the parcels in question at the Ministry of Lands and Physical Planning, Ardhi House, 1 Ngong Avenue, Nairobi.

Conclusion

The above is a brief overview of the conversion process. Should you require more information, our Real Estate team will be more than happy to assist you.