Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) Chairperson David Oginde has urged surveyors to uphold professional integrity and protect public land, warning that corruption in the land sector can fuel disputes and cause lasting harm to communities.
Oginde said professionals involved in land ownership, surveying and management have a responsibility to ensure their decisions are guided by honesty, diligence and the public interest.
Speaking as the chief guest at the Institution of Surveyors of Kenya (ISK) Africa Regional Conference in Naivasha, he challenged practitioners to resist corrupt dealings and safeguard the country’s land resources for future generations.
He noted that land has remained a sensitive issue in the country, with decisions on ownership, boundaries and use often having far-reaching effects on individuals and communities.
The EACC chairperson urged surveyors to recognise the influence their professional work has on land administration and avoid actions that could facilitate the unlawful acquisition or loss of public property.
He further called on practitioners to put the public interest first and help preserve Kenya’s land heritage, stressing that responsible land management is important for both current development needs and the interests of future generations.
Oginde also highlighted asset recovery as a key component of the commission’s strategic plan, reaffirming EACC’s commitment to recovering public assets lost through corruption.
His remarks come as concerns over land administration and the protection of public property remain part of wider efforts to strengthen accountability in the management of national resources.
ISK President Eric Nyadimo also challenged members to maintain professional standards and adhere to ethical practices in their work.
Nyadimo reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to working with the anti-graft agency to promote integrity within the land sector.
The two institutions signed a Memorandum of Understanding in September 2026, establishing a framework for cooperation in strengthening ethical conduct and addressing corruption-related challenges in the profession.
The partnership is expected to support joint efforts to promote accountability among professionals whose work influences land ownership, planning and management.
The two-day ISK Africa Regional Conference is being held in Naivasha from October 29 to 30, 2026, under the theme, “Catalyzing Sustainable Investment: The Role of Surveyors in the Blue, Green, and Built Economies.”
The conference brings together discussions on how surveyors can contribute to sustainable investment, environmental protection and infrastructure development.
It also provides a platform to examine the profession’s role in supporting the blue, green and built economies while ensuring that development activities are guided by responsible land use.
Oginde’s address placed professional ethics at the centre of the discussions, with the EACC calling on surveyors to use their expertise in ways that protect public resources and promote responsible land management.
