Kenya-based
property technology firm, My Shamba has partnered with American software and
technology company MegaHoot Technologies, Inc “ MegaHoot” to develop a series
of real estate-related platforms using enhanced Pecu Novus Blockchain Network.
A
statement announcing the partnership notes that the first in the series of platforms
are geared toward land dispute in Kenya through the use of a unique blockchain-enabled
land verification system.
Background
Over
the past decade, the number of incidents involving false land claims and
related crimes has skyrocketed in Kenya. The Kenya Ministry of Lands and a
survey by The Hague Institute for Innovation of Law have shown that the cost to
the economy has been substantial, and land disputes have impacted between 2.4 to
2.8 million Kenyans. Perennial land disputes have been a thorn in the side of
Kenya's lands sector for decades, and My Shamba Digital has identified the
problem.
Solution
By
aligning with US-based MegaHoot Technologies, My Shamba is keen on providing a
viable and sustainable solution that has plagued Kenya for too long. “The
utilization of blockchain technology in order to combat land disputes will
become an asset in providing solutions for the security of land titles, illegal
use of public land, and the proper storage of land records throughout Kenya”,
it said.
“The
problem does not just impact Kenya, but it impacts many countries throughout
Africa and South America. My Shamba Digital is looking to scale the system
quickly throughout 2023 to eventually have operations in Rwanda, Uganda,
Tanzania, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, South
Africa, Nigeria, and Egypt”, the statement added.
The target markets are prospective real estate buyers who want
to ensure they will be the true owners of the land they are buying, government
agencies who want to restore confidence that land disputes are being combated
via technology, and the Kenya real estate industry as a whole. Some platforms
that will be provided by My Shamba Digital and MegaHoot Technologies include
verification of real estate Title deeds, Land Registration Services, Land
Administration Services, Land Valuation Services, Land Survey Services, and
Dispute Resolution Services.
In his remarks, the co-founder
of My Shamba Digital, Robert Muoka Salim, said, “We are looking forward to working closely with MegaHoot Technologies
to fuel the vision that we have for Kenya, a better Kenya, where land ownership
is clear and concise. My Shamba Digital was created with an initial mission, to
bring transparency to land records to avoid land disputes and promote land
ownership with an immutable record of ownership.”
“The Kenya Lands and
Physical Planning Cabinet Secretary Farida Karoney has made it part of her
mission to bring digital land management to the forefront to combat land
disputes in the country. My Shamba Digital and MegaHoot Technologies have
solutions that will be able to assist in achieving those goals. Robert and
James have spearheaded a movement to resolve land disputes that will span
beyond Kenya; we look forward to working with My Shamba Digital to see it
through,” stated MegaHoot Technologies CEO Louis Velazquez.
