The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has called on surveyors to uphold professional integrity and safeguard public land as part of efforts to combat corruption in the land sector.
EACC Chairperson Dr David Oginde warned that land-related graft could have far-reaching consequences for communities and future generations, calling on practitioners to exercise diligence in decisions affecting land ownership, use and management.
“The tragedy of land-related corruption has serious consequences that can endure for a very long time,” Oginde said.
Speaking as the chief guest at the Institution of Surveyors of Kenya (ISK) Africa Regional Conference in Naivasha, Oginde noted that land had historically been at the centre of conflict in Kenyan society.
He challenged surveyors to prioritise the public interest in their professional duties and ensure their work contributes to the protection of the country's land heritage.
The EACC chairperson's remarks highlighted the responsibility of professionals in the land sector to uphold ethical standards in processes that influence land ownership, development and management.
Surveyors provide technical services that support land administration and development, making professional diligence and integrity important in ensuring that land-related decisions are handled responsibly.
Oginde also underscored asset recovery as a key pillar of the commission's Strategic Plan, reaffirming EACC's commitment to reclaiming public assets.
The commission's focus on asset recovery forms part of its broader mandate to combat corruption and protect public resources.
Oginde's remarks placed the recovery of unlawfully acquired assets alongside the need to promote integrity in the management of land.
ISK President Eric Nyadimo also called on members of the professional body to uphold high standards in their work and pledged continued cooperation with the anti-graft agency.
The two institutions signed a Memorandum of Understanding in September 2026 to strengthen collaboration in promoting integrity in the land sector.
The agreement provides a basis for cooperation between the commission and the professional body as they pursue efforts to encourage ethical conduct and accountability among practitioners.
The conference, taking place on October 29 and 30, 2026, is themed “Catalyzing Sustainable Investment: The Role of Surveyors in the Blue, Green, and Built Economies.”
It examines the contribution of surveyors to sustainable investment, environmental protection and infrastructure development, placing the profession's work within broader discussions on responsible resource management.
Oginde's warning comes amid continued concern over the consequences of land-related corruption, which can undermine public confidence, complicate land ownership and deprive communities of resources meant for public benefit.
