Developing a Web Based Integrated Land Information System for Ownership, Value and Taxation: Case Study of the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Kenya

Over the years, the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development in Kenya has relied on paper-based systems to discharge its mandate to citizens, a scenario that has generated millions of paper records both at the headquarters and the field offices distributed country-wide. The numerous records generated by the various Departments have posed a great challenge and difficulty in effectively referring to records and timely retrieval to serve citizens, institutions and other key stake-holders. As a result, the entire process has become inefficient, time consuming, unreliable, restrictive, redundant and costly, undermining efficiency and effectiveness in service delivery. A timely solution is through the establishment of an integrated, transparent, decentralized, affordable and efficient GIS-based Land Information Management System. The main objective of the study was to develop a web-based land information management system with an aim of providing a proper land information collection, storage and dissemination platform for the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development. The system is composed of three subcomponents a single database, web-based mapping component and a website. The database provided is centralized, mapping component provides tools for data updating and visualization while the website hosts the mapping component and also provides additional information related to land management. The system contained information on parcel ownership, land use, taxation, location boundaries, land value, encumbrances and many more. The system offers a streamlined flow of land information within the Ministry ensuring there is well structured process of collecting, storing and disseminating land information. Implications of the system for the Ministry include serving as a platform to integrate data and facilitate data exchange in the Directorates, enable quick decision-making, facilitate and enhance analysis for land use planning, and act as a tool for improving public service.