EDITORIAL: Automation of land transactions overdue

In a clear case of failing to move on with the times, the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has expressed its strong opposition to the automation of land transactions.

Despite majority of land investors supporting the move to digitise transactions, lawyers want the transition halted in favour of the rigid and time consuming manual process.

Manual handling of land files has often been cited by investors as a major stumbling block to the ease of doing business in the country.

The LSK’s stance has even attracted the ire of the President who rightly urged lawyers to abandon their selfish agenda and support efforts aimed at improving the country’s business environment.

We call on the lawyers to stop blocking the automation of the land register. They should know that automation of such processes is now the trend world over. Narrow interests should not override national interests since automation will unlock the country’s great economic potential.

It is a well-known fact that many in the legal fraternity thrive in a chaotic environment. Online transfers that favour land investors threaten to cut off a key revenue stream for the advocates. However, one major advantage of digitisation is that it will quicken land transactions.

Adoption of online land transactions is also seen as one way of improving Kenya’s position on the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business Index.

The country climbed 19 places in the latest report to stand at number 61 on the drive to protect minority investors and on reduced time spent filing tax returns.

But the country performed dismally on registration of property, which on average takes 49 days.

This slow pace saw the country given the lowest rating of 55.97 percent to stand at position 122 out of 190 in the rankings.

The country should not allow a few people to stall a process that aims to improve the welfare of many.

Plugging a loophole that has become a lucrative stream for a few should enable the larger society to benefit. The country should not abandon its quest to adopt technology in service delivery.