Category: POPULAR

The Estate Agents Registration Board has expressed interest concerns over the upcoming associations seeking to regulate the real estate sector.

In a press briefing, the Chairperson of the board *Eunice Macharia* noted:

“We are here today to express concern over the proliferation of new associations seeking to regulate the real estate sector. Most of these are mutations of land buying companies that have previously swindled Kenyan Citizens, through pretenses that they are in a position to sell them land. We want to warn Kenyans that these groupings have no mandate to register estate agents.

The associations are not registered or regulated by the government and any persons associating with them may be exposed to fraud and their interests vulnerable.

The board has tried reaching out to some of these groups but our efforts have been fruitless. This is largely attributable to the amorphous nature of the groupings and their unwillingness to comply with the law. The Estate Agents Act Cap 533 of the laws of Kenya clearly gives authority to EARB for the registration of persons who, by way of business, negotiate for or otherwise act in relation to the selling, purchasing, or letting of land and buildings on behalf of a property owner.

We therefore do not need another body purporting to do the same, for that would amount to double legislations jeopardizing the registered estate agents.

When it comes to professional association, The Institution of Surveyors of Kenya (ISK) is the professional body that brings together professionals who provide services in the Land and Property sector.

We would also like to warn members of the public against being misguided by unscrupulous land buying companies. In the past, we have seen the public losing money to these companies. They often promise heaven but deliver hell.

We would urge property buyers to be diligent in their investments on land and ensure they are dealing with credible entities, specifically, those run by registered and licensed estate agents.

Anyone committing to a land deal should ensure they carry out due diligence on the titles, ensure the subdivision schemes are approved by the relevant county and national governments and the parcels have the requisite titles (not share certificates!). Buyers should avoid being enticed into false schemes through marketing gimmicks and freebies. Employing a professional to advise before commitment can save one a lot of loses and heartaches.

The Estate Agents Registration Board (EARB) is the regulatory body for the Estate Agency Practice in Kenya that derives its mandate from Estate Agents Act Cap 533. Our mandate is to register estate agents and to ensure the practice of estate agency is of high standards in order to protect the public.

Quest For Justice Rages on Kandara Residents Association through their Secretary General Mr Geoffrey Kairu is challenging the county Government of Muranga to produce the formal application to National Land Commission (NLC) requesting for 1400 acres and determination by NLC for the allocation of the same.

Mr. Kairu quips:

“Why did the county Governments of Muranga and the Ministry of Land Physical Planning and Urban Development processed the leases despite caution by Parliament Implementation Committee on 28/7/2021.

We are also challenging NLC and the Ministry of Land Physical Planning and Urban Development to state the status of the current situation on Delmonte land.”

Finally the victims of historical land injustices forefathers ( mau Mai) fought for this land during the colonial struggle for independence , but the First Government leased some parcels to Delmonte for 49 years from 1973 and the rest was taken by homeguards,this time we have successfully petitioned NLC and Parliament but the County Governments and the children of homeguards want to take everything. We shall resist until we get justice.This emerged and gained momentum during a civic engagement held at Kabati on Thursday.

The Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) has appointed Mr Jaswinder Bedi of Bedi Investment to serve as the Chairperson of its Board of Directors and Ms Brenda Mbathi of the American Chamber of Commerce, Kenya as the Vice-Chairperson during the organization’s 19th Annual General Meeting (AGM) which was held today at Serena Hotel.

Mr Bedi, who has served as the Vice-Chairperson of the Board since 2021 succeeds Ms Flora Mutahi after her two-year tenure at the helm of the KEPSA Board. The KEPSA Board also received fresh blood from newly appointed Directors replacing the outgoing Directors, having served their term.

The changes also heralded new leadership at the institution’s Governing Council where various sector leaders were handed the mandate to steer the sector boards.

KEPSA, which will be celebrating its 20th anniversary later this year, has made a significant contribution to the economy and the business operating landscape by working together and building formidable partnerships with the government across all arms, its members and all other stakeholders.

At the AGM, KEPSA emphasized its unwavering commitment to the growth, support and representation of its members by continuing to foster an environment of collaboration and shared success and ensuring that its members thrive in their respective industries.

KEPSA CEO, Ms Carole Kariuki noted that the organisation will be embarking on the implementation of its new business strategy over the next five years focusing on creating a globally competitive and prosperous Kenya by 2027.

“The new business strategy challenges us into building partnerships and shared vision with the government and all other stakeholders to realize an enabling business environment that delivers Kenya’s global competitiveness.” Said Ms Kariuki. She also reported that in the recent past, the organization’s membership has experienced a surge of micro and small enterprises who continue to benefit from some of its programs and projects and will be supported further to scale up, including through integration into various priority value chains where larger enterprises operate.

Some of the KEPSA Projects that were highlighted at the AGM to have benefitted SMEs and youth include Ajira Digital Program, SME Accelerator Program, MSME Financing Gateway, Jiinue Growth Program, COAST Project under the Sustainable Inclusive Business – Kenya and numerous inbound and outbound trade and investment missions.

In his inaugural speech, the new KEPSA Chairperson committed to delivering a world class competitive business environment leveraging the young and energetic population and also taking the opportunity to unlock the African business potential through African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement.

The AGM was followed by a business dialogue and was graced by the Cabinet Secretary for Investment, Trade and Industry Hon. Moses Kuria in a panel discussion that include the KEPSA leadership and the newly elected President of the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dr Eric Rutto. Hon. Kuria invited the private sector stakeholders to put the priority of the country first and join efforts with the government for the realization of economic development. The Cabinet Secretary also challenged Kenya’s private sector to think big, noting that the private sector business operations are critical in unlocking the economy.

Kajiado North Member of Parliament The Honorable Onesmus Ngogoyo has taken a moment to share with us his thoughts on the National Budget that was adopted on the floor of the house Thursday.

‘Firstly I’m happy for this government because it is already implementing the agenda with which it campaigned for and finally elected into office for winning public confidence. Education has taken a lion’s share of 627 Million which is an increment of Ksh 200M from the previous budget.

HELB has also gotten a shot in the arm from the previous 15 Billion to Ksh 29 Billion enabling easier affordability of tertiary education.

151billion will go to health both preventive and curative that means this year’s budget will implement all the Governments development blueprint.

I’m also particularly happy for the increment of NG-CDF by Ksh 20 – Ksh 40 million per constituency.

I’m urging everyone to support the government so that we can continue serving the people of Kenya.

Sasanews.co.ke wishes Hon Onesmus Ngogoyo all the best in all his work.