Use of Blockchain to Digitize Land Records and Track Land Transfer Transactions in Kenya

Abstract

Land transactions have been marred by illegal, unauthorized and untraceable actions globally and locally in Kenya. This has led to huge loses when same parcel is allocated to multiple owners or to wrong owner. To help curb the menace in land transactions, governments are digitizing the physical records used historically. Whereas, most attempts are using the traditional approach of a centralized land management system controlled by one body, there are ongoing projects and pilots to use decentralized systems to manage land records and transactions. Blockchain being at the heart of distributed ledgers, it can be used to solve the issues faced in land transactions. The objective of the research was to investigate existing vulnerabilities in land records and transactions, hence propose a solution using blockchain. The research was focused on land registries and actors interacting to effect various land transactions. Physical and phone interviews were conducted with several actors in land transactions, there was a review of documents used in land transactions. The research revealed existence of vulnerabilities in land records as presently stored and nature of transactions conducted. The application developed using distributed ledgers shows how blockchain can be used to enhance integrity, security and traceability of land transactions. The main limitation of the research was selecting a subset of actors in the land sector and therefore may not cover all vulnerabilities in land transactions. The research conclusion showed the main land transactions that are vulnerable and how they are exploited by unscrupulous persons. The application developed shows how blockchain can solve most of the vulnerabilities. This research project sought to show blockchain can be used to track land transactions by various actors like: land registrars, buyers, sellers, banks and surveyors. This would solve the current pain points facing the actors in land transactions.