Government Expands Ardhisasa Platform Rollout in Mombasa With More Blocks Moving Online

The government has extended the rollout of the Ardhisasa digital land management platform in Mombasa County. More registration sections, or blocks, will now handle land transactions exclusively through the online system. The move forms part of a wider effort to modernise land administration and reduce reliance on manual processes across the country.

A public notice from the State Department for Lands and Physical Planning announced that effective July 20, 2026, affected sections in Mombasa will cease manual processing. Landowners, conveyancing professionals, surveyors, valuers, advocates, and members of the public must submit applications via the Ardhisasa platform. The latest expansion builds on previous phases that brought Mombasa/Block XVI and Mombasa/Block XVII online in July 2025.

Ardhisasa is the public-facing component of the National Land Information Management System. It was first launched in Nairobi in 2021. Since then, authorities have gradually introduced it in other counties, including Murang’a and Isiolo. The platform allows users to carry out various land-related services remotely. These include searches, registrations, and transfers without repeated physical visits to land offices.

Officials say the digitisation drive has delivered several benefits. Transaction timelines have shortened in areas where the system is fully operational. Transparency has improved because processes are more traceable. Opportunities for fraud have decreased, and revenue collection has strengthened through integrated digital payments. Land records themselves are better secured against loss or manipulation.

For Mombasa, a coastal county with significant real estate activity and port-related development, efficient land administration carries particular importance. Property transactions tied to commercial, residential, and industrial projects can now move faster once the new blocks join the system. This matters for investors who often cite delays in land processes as a barrier to doing business in Kenya.

The State Department for Lands urged all stakeholders in the affected areas to prepare for the change. Users will need to register or update their profiles on the Ardhisasa platform to avoid disruptions. Professional bodies representing advocates and surveyors have previously called for adequate sensitisation ahead of such transitions to minimise teething problems.

Broader rollout of Ardhisasa reflects a long-standing government objective to create a more accessible, efficient, and citizen-centred land administration framework. Manual systems in many registries had become bottlenecks. They required physical file movements, lengthy queues, and created opportunities for irregularities. Digital migration aims to address those legacy issues.

Challenges have accompanied the expansion. Some users have reported initial difficulties with system navigation, data accuracy, and occasional downtime. The government has worked to address feedback by improving user interfaces and support mechanisms. Training sessions for professionals and public awareness campaigns have formed part of the implementation strategy.

In construction and real estate circles, faster land transactions can accelerate project timelines. Developers often wait on approvals for subdivision, change of user, or title transfers before breaking ground. Reduced delays in these areas can lower holding costs and bring housing or commercial units to market sooner. This aligns with national priorities around affordable housing and urban development.

Mombasa’s integration into Ardhisasa also supports larger economic goals. The county serves as a major trade and tourism hub. Clearer and quicker land processes can encourage both local and foreign investment in infrastructure, hotels, and logistics facilities. The port city’s growth depends in part on reliable property rights systems that give confidence to developers and financiers.

The State Department reiterated its commitment to nationwide coverage. Additional counties and registration sections are expected to join in coming months. The ultimate target is a unified digital land information ecosystem that covers the entire country. If successful, this could mark a significant improvement in how Kenyans interact with land services.

For now, stakeholders in Mombasa’s newly onboarded blocks must adapt to the online-only requirement starting Sunday. The transition, while disruptive in the short term, forms part of a larger reform journey aimed at modernising one of the economy’s most critical sectors.