The County Government of Meru in partnership with land services professional bodies, is set to streamline the land governance and use in Meru, in order to boost development.

In a meeting with the land stakeholders who involved Kenya Institute of Planners (KIP), Institute of Surveyors of Kenya (ISK), Architectural Association of Kenya (AAK), CEC Land, Jeremiah Lenya stated that the County Government has embarked on strengthening of County planning to pave room for increased development.

He said the effects of poor planning may not be instantly visible but adverse effects can manifest in at least 10 year's time. Such happenings have resulted in many land cases in Meru, loss of property, while in extreme cases lives.

He said the department has initialized the automation of land services and that in the near future, all applications for surveys and planning will be submited online, for enhanced land quality control. Further, he said the County has opened a door for private sector's participation as key drivers of development.

KIP Chairman, Dr. Lawrence Esho, insisted the land is a resource that need proper management. While transiting to the devolved system, he said a loophole was created, through which mashroooming of unlawful "Land consultants" at the County levels began.

This was echoed by Chairperson AAK, Town Plan Chapter, Rita Juliet who said the deliberations were key in the push for automated land management system that will save citizens from quarks. She noted that AAK has helped automate work for Nairobi, Mombasa, Kiambu and Kisumu Counties.

ISK Chairman, Abraham Samoei, assured that the institute will support the County to deal with unprofessionals who use the presigned mutations, making people lose lots of money and property.

George Njoroge, new County Registrar, said negligence in the execution of documents has been one of the root causes of land disputes, adding that most private surveyors do not establish original bacons before progressing with subdivisions.

He warned land brokers from exploiting the people saying measures have been put in place through the "Wizara Mashinani Program" rolled out last year, to ensure those seeking services at the registry are the real land owners or the approved agents.