The National Land Commission has reserved 1,974 hectares of land in Tana River for the National Intelligence Service to develop security infrastructure. This move, announced in a gazette notice on October 26, 2025, aims to bolster national security while imposing strict environmental and management guidelines. The reservation highlights ongoing efforts to allocate public land for key government projects.
On October 26, 2025, the National Land Commission (NLC), chaired by Gershom Otachi, issued a gazette notice reserving the land parcel known as Masalani Block 1/2, measuring approximately 1,974 hectares, for the National Intelligence Service (NIS). The notice, exercising powers under sections 15, 16, 17, and 18 of the Land Act and Section 105(2) of the Land Registration Act, 2012, vests the care, control, and management of this land in Tana River to the NIS specifically for security infrastructure development.
"IN EXERCISE of the powers conferred by sections 15, 16, 17, and 18 of the Land Act and Section 105 (2) of the Land Registration Act, 2012, the National Land Commission hereby issues this reservation order to reserve and vest the care, control, and management of the land parcel no. Masalani Block 1/2, measuring approximately 1974.0 hectares and situated in Tana River," the notice stated. It further stipulated that "The management body shall not part with possession of the reserved land or any portion thereof without the written consent of the National Land Commission."
Note that while the article summary mentions Taita Taveta County, the official notice specifies Tana River, presenting a discrepancy in location details. Within the first 180 days, the NIS must prepare a land use and management plan compliant with physical planning regulations, addressing environmental considerations, upholding constitutional values, providing regulated community access, and securing wildlife corridors. The commission directed the identification and mapping of ecologically sensitive areas, protection of resources like water bodies, and ensuring at least 10% tree and vegetation cover to align with national goals.
Additional requirements include adopting climate-smart technologies, circular economy practices such as waste reduction and recycling, and conducting an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) before major projects, per the Environmental Management and Coordination Act, 1999. Statutory payments to county governments must also be remitted as required by law.
This reservation is part of broader NLC actions, including smaller allocations for the Kenya Ports Authority in Homa Bay County and Kilifi County Government, but the NIS parcel stands out for its scale and security focus.