Ardhi Sasa: What It Is & How To Use It

In Kenya, land ownership and management have traditionally been challenging due to bureaucracy, and at times, corruption. To address these challenges, the Kenyan Government launched Ardhi Sasa, an online platform designed to streamline and digitize land services.

Here’s a guide on what Ardhi Sasa is, examples of the services it offers, how to sign up and how to conduct a land search using the platform.

What is Ardhi Sasa?

Ardhi Sasa is a digital land management platform launched by the Ministry of Lands and Physical Planning in Kenya. It is part of the government’s National Land Information Management System (NLIMS) initiative aimed at transforming land services by digitizing land records and processes.

The platform enables Kenyans to access a range of land-related services conveniently and in real-time. Through Ardhi Sasa, the government aims to improve land administration, reduce fraud, and make land services more accessible.

Examples of Services Under Ardhi Sasa

The Ardhi Sasa platform offers a wide range of services aimed at simplifying land transactions. Here are some key services available:

1. Land Searches: Users can conduct official searches for property records to confirm ownership and any encumbrances attached to a parcel of land.
2. Land Transfers: Landowners can transfer property ownership online, making the transfer process faster and more secure.
3. Title Deed Applications and Replacements: Users can apply for new title deeds or replace lost or damaged ones.
4. Survey Services: Registered surveyors can submit their work, and landowners can request survey services for their parcels.
5. Subdivision and Amalgamation: This service allows landowners to subdivide or merge parcels of land, with approvals done electronically.
6. Property Valuation: Users can request property valuations for various purposes, such as taxation, financing, or sales.
7. Change of User: Landowners can request a change of land use from, for example, agricultural to residential, with approvals managed digitally.
8. Payments for Land Rent: Landowners can make payments for land rent on the platform ensuring records are up-to-date.

How to Sign Up for Ardhi Sasa

To start using Ardhi Sasa, you’ll need to create an account. Here’s how to sign up:

1. Visit the Ardhi Sasa Website: Go to www.ardhisasa.lands.go.ke.
2. Register: On the website or app, click on the ‘Sign Up’ or ‘Register’ button. You’ll be prompted to provide personal details such as your ID number, full name, phone number, and email address.
3. Set Up Login Credentials: Create a username and password that you will use to access your account in the future.
4. Verify Your Identity: Ardhi Sasa may send a verification code to your phone number or email to complete the registration.
5. Complete Your Profile: Log in to the platform and complete your profile by providing additional information if required.
6. Link Your Land Parcels (Optional): If you already own land, you can link your parcels to your Ardhi Sasa account for easy access and management.

How to Conduct a Land Search Using Ardhi Sasa

One of the most common services people seek on Ardhi Sasa is the Land Search. The following is a guide on how the procedure is carried out:

1. Log In: Go to the Ardhi Sasa platform and log in using your username and password.
2. Navigate to the Land Search Service: Once logged in, find the “Land Search” option on the dashboard. Click on it to start your search.
3. Enter Parcel Details: You’ll need to enter the specific details of the land parcel you are interested in, such as the title number. Ensure the information is accurate to avoid errors.
4. Confirm the Parcel Information: Review the parcel details to ensure you have the correct land details before proceeding.
5. Make Payment: Land searches on Ardhi Sasa come with a fee. Follow the on-screen prompts to make the payment, which is usually done through mobile money (M-Pesa).
6. Access the Search Results: After payment, the system will generate an official search document that shows ownership details, any registered encumbrances, and other essential information related to the parcel.
7. Download the Report: You can download and save a copy of the search document for your record.

Advantages of Using Ardhi Sasa

1. Improved Efficiency and Accessibility – Ardhi Sasa has greatly reduced the time required to conduct land-related transactions by making the process more efficient. Previously, individuals had to visit land registry offices, often facing long queues and slow processing times. The accessibility benefits both individual landowners and businesses ,allowing them to conduct transactions remotely without physical barriers.
2. Enhanced Transparency and Accountability – The digitization of land records through Ardhi Sasa has minimized cases of fraud, forgery, and manipulation of land documents. The platform provides real-time information, and all transactions are recorded in a transparent and traceable manner. This transparency deters corrupt practices, as the platform creates a digital footprint for each transaction, making it harder for unscrupulous activities to go unnoticed. This is particularly beneficial in a sector that has historically been plagued by land fraud issues in Kenya.
3. Cost Savings – With Ardhi Sasa, individuals save on costs related to transportation, middlemen, and legal fees typically incurred when visiting land registry offices. By enabling users to conduct transactions online, Ardhi Sasa eliminates the need for intermediaries, reducing overall costs.
4. Data Security and Backup – The Ardhi Sasa system offers secure storage of land records, safeguarding them against loss, theft or damage.
5. Legal and Policy Alignment – The system aligns with Kenya’s legal and policy framework, including the National Land Policy and the Constitution of Kenya which promote efficient, accountable, and accessible land management practices.

Disadvantages of Using Ardhi Sasa

1. Digital Literacy and Access Challenges – One significant challenge is that many Kenyans, especially in rural areas, have limited digital literacy and may struggle to use the online system effectively.
   
2. System Downtime and Technical Issues – As with any online platform, Ardhi Sasa is susceptible to technical glitches, system downtimes, and cyber-attacks, which can hinder the smooth completion of transactions.
3. Data Privacy – Despite efforts to secure the platform, there are still concerns about data privacy and the risk of unauthorized access.
4. Limited Adaptability for Complex Cases – While Ardhi Sasa is efficient for straightforward land transactions, it may not be well-suited for complex cases, such as disputes involving multiple parties or intricate land succession cases.
5. Initial Resistance and Adaptation Issues – The transition from a manual to a digital system has encountered resistance from individuals and stakeholders accustomed to traditional land management practices.

Conclusion

Ardhi Sasa marks a significant milestone in the modernization of Kenya’s land management. It not only makes land transactions more accessible and reliable but also reduces the risk of fraud, benefiting both individual landowners and the economy as a whole.

By following the steps above, Kenyans can easily sign up, conduct land research, and access a host of other services on this innovative platform.

Magdalene Wanjohi

Magdalene is a young Kenyan web content author with a deep love for innovation and finding solutions designed to make the world a better place. The BA Marketing & Comms major at Kisii University boasts strong writing skills thanks to her prior training under the Ajira Digital Program by the Government of Kenya.