Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) Chairperson David Oginde has called on surveyors to uphold professional integrity and protect public land, warning that corruption in the land sector can trigger disputes and undermine the country’s development for generations.
Oginde said professionals involved in land ownership, administration and management have a responsibility to safeguard public resources by ensuring that their decisions are guided by ethical standards and the public interest.
Speaking as the chief guest at the Institution of Surveyors of Kenya (ISK) Africa Regional Conference in Naivasha on Thursday, October 29, 2026, he challenged surveyors to exercise diligence and professionalism in carrying out their duties.
“The tragedy of land-related corruption has serious consequences that can endure for a very long time,” Oginde said.
He observed that land has historically been a major source of conflict in Kenya, making accountability in land transactions, ownership records and administration critical to preventing disputes and protecting public interests.
The EACC chairperson urged surveyors to view their professional responsibilities beyond technical assignments, noting that decisions involving land boundaries, ownership and usage have far-reaching implications for communities and future generations.
He also highlighted asset recovery as a key pillar of the commission’s Strategic Plan, reaffirming its commitment to reclaiming public assets lost through corruption.
Oginde’s remarks placed the surveying profession at the centre of efforts to strengthen transparency in land administration, particularly in protecting public property from irregular allocation and misuse.
ISK President Eric Nyadimo echoed the call for professionalism, urging members to maintain high ethical standards while reaffirming the institution’s commitment to working with the anti-corruption agency.
Nyadimo said ISK would continue cooperating with the EACC to promote integrity and address corruption-related challenges within the land sector.
The two institutions signed a Memorandum of Understanding in September 2026 to strengthen cooperation in promoting ethical practices and tackling corruption in the surveying and land administration sectors.
The agreement provides a framework for joint efforts to enhance accountability, professional standards and transparency in land-related activities.
The ISK Africa Regional Conference, running from October 29 to 30, 2026, is being held under the theme “Catalysing Sustainable Investment: The Role of Surveyors in the Blue, Green, and Built Economies.”
The conference brings together professionals to examine how surveying expertise can support sustainable investment, environmental protection, infrastructure development and responsible resource management.
Oginde’s intervention added a governance dimension to the discussions, highlighting how professional integrity in land administration is essential to protecting public assets and ensuring sustainable development.
The engagement also reinforces the growing collaboration between the EACC and ISK in promoting accountability and ethical conduct among professionals working in Kenya’s land sector.
