Conversion of Land Process in Kenya
The Ministry of Lands is continuing the conversion of land titles in Nairobi County. Titles from the old register are being reissued under the Land Registration Act, 2012. It is essential for all landowners to replace their old titles, as the land registers under the previous land regime have been closed, and no transactions can proceed under the old system.
Steps for Land Title Conversion in Kenya
1. Identification of New Land Reference Number
The conversion process begins with the preparation of cadastral maps, which serve as a unified survey document, along with a conversion list showing the old parcel numbers and their corresponding sizes.
Once the cadastral maps and conversion list are developed, the Registrar publishes a gazette notice identifying the converted parcels of land and their new title numbers. Before proceeding with the conversion, it is crucial to confirm that the land has been converted and its new title number identified.
2. Creation of an Ardhisasa Account
The landowner must be registered on the Ardhisasa platform. We assist in creating the Ardhisasa account, which requires:
- A copy of the landowner’s identification card
- A valid email address
- A phone number to receive a one-time password (OTP) for verification
Once registered, the proprietor receives an Ardhisasa ID, which will be used for identification on the platform.
3. Application Process
Only a qualified advocate can initiate the land conversion application through their Advocate account on the Ardhisasa platform.
The advocate submits an application for the replacement of title documents from the old registers, filling in the required details, including the old and new land reference numbers, and attaching:
- A copy of the existing title in the prescribed Form 97
- A certified copy of the registered proprietor’s identification card
Once submitted, the application is processed by the Ministry of Lands.
4. Surrender of Old Title
Upon approval of the application, the advocate receives a notification through the Ardhisasa platform to surrender the old title document. The landowner must provide the title documents to the advocate for submission to the Ministry of Lands.
5. Issuance of New Title
Once the old title is surrendered, the Registrar issues a new title and retains the old one. The advocate is notified when the new title document is ready for collection.
Due to various factors and the complexity of the process, the conversion may take approximately two to six months to complete.
Conclusion
The conversion process does not affect ownership, land size, or other registered interests. Once a landowner receives the new title, they can proceed with transactions such as selling the land.
