Get public land allocated, or a wayleave over public land, through the NLC
National Land Commission · sources read 3 Oct 2026
You can't walk in and ask for public land. The national or county government asks the NLC to allocate it, the NLC advertises it at least 30 days ahead, and you apply or bid in the way the notice says. Wayleaves over public land are applied for by government bodies, public authorities and companies, on the prescribed form.
- Fee
- We couldn't confirm a fee from the official page. Check it there before you pay.
- Where
- National Land Commission, 316 Upperhill Chambers, 2nd Ngong Avenue, off Ngong Road, Nairobi (info@landcommission.go.ke, 0111042800), or the NLC county office nearest the land.
Steps
- Watch for NLC allocation notices. The NLC must publish a notice at least 30 days before offering public land, and the public has 15 days to comment.
- Get the terms of allocation from the NLC office in Nairobi or the one nearest the land.
- Apply or bid by the method in the notice: public auction (not below the reserve price), tender, targeted application, drawing of lots or request for proposals.
- For a wayleave: apply to the NLC on the prescribed form with the information it asks for, and serve notice on the people occupying the land and on the county government.
- After at least 30 days the NLC weighs any objections and advises the Cabinet Secretary, who decides and creates the wayleave by Gazette order.
Watch out
- Allocated public land can't be sold, subleased or subdivided until you develop it for its purpose. If you don't, it goes back to the government.
- Riparian land, lakeshores, beaches, wetlands, forests and land reserved for security, education or research can't be allocated.
- Public land is only allocated once it has been planned, surveyed and serviced.
Who can apply
- Allocation: whoever the notice invites. Some allocations are reserved for targeted disadvantaged persons or groups.
- Wayleaves: State departments, county governments, public authorities and corporate bodies.
- Communal right of way: a county government, an association or any group of persons.
Official sources (3)
- Land Act No. 6 of 2012 (Revised Edition 2019) landcommission.go.ke · read 3 Oct 2026
- Our Mandates landcommission.go.ke · read 3 Oct 2026
- Contact landcommission.go.ke · read 3 Oct 2026