Government has issued a stern warning against the illegal sale of agricultural land, declaring the practice criminal and punishable by law amid growing concerns over the involvement of some traditional leaders in unauthorised land transactions.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Prof Obert Jiri, said the sale of agricultural and communal land outside established Government procedures is illegal and will not be tolerated.
“All land transactions must go through the Ministry. This ensures transparency, security of tenure and orderly land administration. Anyone selling land outside the Ministry is acting illegally. We condemn anyone who sells land outside the Ministry. Anyone buying agricultural land should follow due process as prescribed by law,” he said.
Prof Jiri said so-called “sabhuku deals,” where village heads unlawfully allocate or sell communal land, have no legal standing.
“Sabhuku deals are illegal. Traditional leaders do not have the authority to sell land. Their role is to administer communal land on behalf of the State, not to commodify it,” he said.
He warned that individuals who engage in illegal land sales, including those who facilitate or benefit from such transactions, face prosecution. “Buyers risk losing both their money and the land if they engage in illegal deals,” he said.
Prof Jiri said Government is strengthening monitoring mechanisms and working closely with law enforcement agencies to curb the practice, particularly in peri-urban and high-demand agricultural areas.
“We are intensifying patrols and inspections to ensure that illegal land sales are stopped,” he said.
He urged members of the public to exercise caution. “Before making any payments for land, always verify ownership and allocation processes with the Ministry. Do not rely on verbal agreements or deals brokered by village heads,” he said.
The Permanent Secretary said the illegal sale of communal land threatens national food security. “Productive agricultural land is being fragmented or converted to non-agricultural uses without approval. This undermines our efforts to boost production and sustain livelihoods,” he said.
Government remains committed to protecting agricultural land and ensuring that allocation is done in line with national laws. “We call on communities to report cases of illegal land sales to authorities. Collective vigilance is key to safeguarding land, which is a critical national resource,” he said.
The warning comes as Government intensifies efforts to promote sustainable land management and uphold the rule of law in the administration of agricultural and communal land.
