President William Ruto has appointed Abdillahi Saggaf Alawy as the new chairperson of the National Land Commission (NLC), alongside six commissioners who will serve for a six-year term.

The appointments were published in the Kenya Gazette on Thursday, March 12, 2026, formally giving legal effect to the nominations following their approval by the National Assembly of Kenya.

According to the gazette notice, the appointments were made under Article 250(2)(c) of the Constitution and in line with Section 7(2) of the National Land Commission Act (Cap. 281), which outlines the legal framework for constituting the commission.

“In exercise of the powers conferred by Article 250 (2) (c) of the Constitution as read with Section 7 (2) of the National Land Commission and Paragraph 8 of the First Schedule to the Act, I, William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces, appoint Abdullahi Saggaff Alway (Dr) to be the Chairman of the National Land Commission for a term of six (6) years,” the gazette notice read in part.

The same notice confirmed the appointment of six commissioners who will serve alongside the chairperson in managing the affairs of the constitutional body.

“In exercise of the powers conferred by Article 250 (2) (c) of the Constitution as read with section 7 (2) of the National Land Commission and Paragraph 8 of the First Schedule to the Act, I, William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces, appoint Susan Kihika Oyatsi, Daniel Murithi Muiruri, Kigen Vincent Cheruiyot, Julie Ouma Oseko, (Dr) Mohamed Abdi Haji Mohamed, and Mary Jiane Sentei to be Members of the National Land Commission for a term of six (6) years,” the notice added.

The commissioners include Susan Kihika Oyatsi from Kakamega County, Daniel Murithi Muiruri from Meru County, Kigen Vincent Cheruiyot from Kericho County, Julie Ouma Oseko from Siaya County, Mohamed Abdi Haji Mohamed from Mandera County, and Mary Jiane Sentei from Kajiado County.

The gazettement effectively marks the formal constitution of the commission after the nominees were vetted and approved by the National Assembly, as required by law.

The National Land Commission is one of Kenya’s independent constitutional commissions tasked with managing public land on behalf of national and county governments, advising on land policy and investigating historical land injustices.

With the appointments now formalised, the new commissioners are expected to assume office and begin executing their mandate, including overseeing land administration processes, resolving land-related disputes, and supporting reforms aimed at improving land governance in the country.

The constitution of the commission is expected to strengthen the oversight and management of land resources, a sector that has historically been at the centre of legal and political disputes in Kenya.

The state has deployed over 1000 police officers to guarantee safety during the 2026 World Rally Championship Safari Rally in Naivasha, Nakuru County.

In a statement, the Ministry of Interior announced it has activated a multi-agency coordination framework aimed at ensuring the safety of rally drivers, teams, spectators, and residents during the globally renowned motorsport event.

The security plan brings together several government agencies, including the National Police Service, National Transport and Safety Authority, Kenya National Highways Authority, and National Government Administration Officers, working alongside county authorities and rally organizers to ensure smooth operations throughout the event period.

“Comprehensive security, traffic management and public safety measures have been put in place ahead of the World Rally Championship Safari Rally Kenya scheduled to take place from 12th to 15th March, 2026 in Naivasha and surrounding areas,” read the statement.

The ministry noted that more than 1,000 police officers from various formations will be deployed across rally routes, designated spectator zones, and key access roads.

The officers will be responsible for maintaining security, managing crowds, and overseeing traffic control operations during the rally.

“Over 1,000 officers will be strategically stationed along rally routes, spectator areas, and key transport corridors to maintain order, manage crowds, and facilitate smooth traffic flow during the competition,” the ministry said.

The government also warned motorists and members of the public to expect temporary traffic changes, including diversions along designated rally routes and surrounding access corridors.

Further, the authorities called on rally fans, residents, and visitors to cooperate with security officers and rally officials, follow traffic guidelines, and observe safety instructions.

Meanwhile, motorists travelling along the busy Nairobi–Naivasha highway without business in Naivasha have been advised to use alternative routes to reduce congestion.

The recommended alternative routes include the Nairobi–Limuru–Flyover–Njabini–Ol Kalou–Ndondori–Lanet–Nakuru route and the Nairobi–Mai Mahiu–Narok–Nakuru–Western Kenya corridor.

President William Ruto on Thursday, March 12, made a surprise visit to the Kapsabet School for the Deaf following a tragic incident in which a septic tank collapsed, leading to the death of a student and injuries to several others.

He toured the institution alongside Nandi Governor Stephen Sang and Tinderet MP Julius Melly to assess the situation and console the school community after the accident.

According to authorities, one learner was confirmed dead while ten others sustained injuries after they fell into the septic tank within the school compound.  

The injured students were rushed to the Kapsabet County Referral Hospital where they are receiving treatment.

During his visit, Ruto expressed sympathy to the school community and acknowledged the challenges the institution faces, pledging government support to help rebuild the school.

“We have had the opportunity to look at your school, and I know you need some support. Because I have come here, I will leave Ksh5 million for reconstruction activities,” he said.

Preliminary reports indicated that the learners accidentally stepped onto the sewage pit while gathering near the roadside to watch the motorcade of President Ruto pass through the area.

The school is located near Kapsabet Girls High School, where the Head of State was scheduled to make an official visit.

Witnesses say the learners were among groups of students observing the passing presidential convoy when several of them unknowingly stepped onto the septic tank, which collapsed beneath them.

Residents from the surrounding community rushed to the scene and began rescue operations before police and emergency response teams arrived.

Those who were pulled out of the pit were rushed to Kapsabet County Referral Hospital for urgent medical treatment.

Authorities have not yet confirmed the exact number of casualties, but early reports suggest that several students may have died in the incident. Some unverified accounts indicate the death toll could be at least 11 learners.

Emergency responders, including police and local rescue teams, remain at the scene as operations continue to search for survivors and assess the full extent of the tragedy.

President William Ruto is facing criticism following his remarks dismissing concerns raised about alleged financial irregularities within the Social Health Authority (SHA).

The dispute centers on claims that Ksh50 billion may have been lost within the health financing system, an issue highlighted in findings by the Office of the Auditor General.

While addressing the matter, Ruto rejected the claims, noting that large amounts is currently being paid to hospitals under the new Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) arrangement.

“Forget the propaganda that we lost Ksh50 billion. This week alone we are paying Ksh16.2 billion for SHIF. We are paying the highest amounts of money to any hospital that has ever been paid under any administration,” he said.

However, Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah has disagreed with Ruto’s remarks, arguing that dismissing findings linked to the Auditor General’s office undermines the constitutional role of independent oversight institutions.

“The President is out of order. The Office of the Auditor General is a constitutional office, not a department of State House. Dismissing a report that questions the loss of Ksh50 billion from SHA undermines the Constitution itself,” he said.

Omtatah further stressed that the issue involves public funds contributed by citizens and should not be underestimated.

“Ksh50 billion is not a clerical error; it is public money collected from the sweat of Kenyans. To brush aside such findings insults every Kenyan who struggles to access healthcare while public resources disappear,” he added.

Omtatah said the president’s argument misses the central issue. He said that paying hospitals does not answer questions about how public funds collected from Kenyans under the new healthcare financing framework will be managed and who will be held accountable for them.

“To brush aside such findings insults every Kenyan who struggles to access healthcare while public resources disappear. You cannot swear to protect the Constitution on Tuesday and tear it up on Wednesday because the truth hurts,” Omtatah added.

Omtatah said that trying to discredit constitutional oversight institutions could make people less trusting of government programmes, especially the country’s healthcare reforms. He said that millions of Kenyans give money to the fund because they hope it will help people get medical care more easily.