Serious questions are emerging about the conduct of Joel Ombati, the valuation director at the National Land Commission, after allegations surfaced linking him to a network suspected of inflating land prices connected to major government infrastructure projects.
The claims are tied to compensation processes for land required in the expansion of the Standard Gauge Railway as well as the proposed Ririoni–Mau Summit Super Highway.Investigators are examining whether a group involving brokers, surveyors and legal professionals may be manipulating land valuations that could be worth billions of shillings.
Several sources within the National Land Commission claim that Ombati may have become a key figure in a network suspected of influencing how land values are calculated when the government acquires property for public projects.
According to officers who spoke anonymously, the alleged scheme involves overstating the market value of land targeted for infrastructure development.
In such situations, if the government pays compensation based on inflated figures, brokers and insiders connected to the network could benefit from large payouts.
The compensation process linked to the railway extension alone is expected to involve billions of shillings, making the matter particularly sensitive.
Concerns have grown as the government prepares to acquire more than 5,000 acres of land across five counties for the next phase of the railway project.
The planned 269-kilometre section will run from Naivasha to Kisumu, passing through Narok, Bomet, Kericho, Nyamira and Kisumu counties. Officials say the railway corridor requires strict alignment because railway engineering depends on stable gradients and carefully selected routes.
Once the route of such a project is confirmed, land along the corridor can quickly increase in value.
This has raised fears that individuals with inside information could exploit the process by acquiring land early and later benefiting from compensation.
Investigators are also examining claims that people linked to Ombati may have acquired parcels of land along the railway corridor before the compensation process begins. Authorities have not confirmed whether Ombati personally owns land in the affected areas.
However, insiders claim that some purchases may involve associates or relatives.
Another issue attracting attention is the delay in introducing a proposed digital land verification system meant to improve transparency.
Government planners had suggested creating a platform that would map land parcels and verify ownership records before compensation payments are approved.
Officials involved in the proposal said the system would help prevent fraudulent claims and inflated valuations.
However, sources claim the reforms have slowed down amid resistance from individuals who benefit from the current manual processes.
Critics argue that delays in digitisation leave room for manipulation of land records and valuation figures.
The financial stakes surrounding the project are high. The Ministry of Transport has already issued notice to the National Land Commission to begin compulsory land acquisition for the next phase of the railway project.
The planned railway will include several stations along the route, with the final terminus expected to be located in Kisumu West.
Governance experts say large infrastructure projects often carry corruption risks because of the huge sums involved in land acquisition.
The outcome of the ongoing inquiries could determine whether land valuations linked to the railway extension and the highway project were conducted fairly or whether public funds may have been exposed to manipulation.
