Isiolo County
14th November, 2024
The National Land Commission (NLC) recently played a pivotal role at the 4th Community Land Summit (CLS) 2024, hosted by IMPACT Kenya and PARAN Alliance. Held from November 13th to 16th at the Kisimani Eco Resort, Isiolo County, this year’s summit centered on the theme, “Enhancing Indigenous Peoples’ Collective Bargaining Power Towards Carbon Markets,” aligning with Sustainable Development Goals 10 and 13—reducing inequalities and advancing climate action.
A highlight of the summit was the vibrant launch of the Reference Manual for Community Land Management Committees and Community Assemblies. This crucial resource, unveiled by Amos Musyoka alongside Hon. Kello Harsama, Principal Secretary for the State Department for ASALs and Regional Development, aims to guide elected groups in managing community land issues more effectively. The launch was celebrated as a major milestone in empowering communities to sustainably manage their land.
In her opening remarks, NLC Vice Chair Getrude Nguku highlighted the summit’s theme as crucial for bridging historical inequalities and amplifying the voices of Indigenous communities in carbon markets. She emphasized the Commission’s steadfast commitment to protecting community land rights, ensuring that Indigenous Peoples benefit equitably from land-based economic ventures, including carbon trading initiatives. The Vice Chair elaborated on the Community Land Act and how it seeks to safeguard community ownership, promote transparent benefit-sharing mechanisms, and uphold cultural heritage.
The CLS 2024 brought together over 200 Indigenous delegates, pastoralist and hunter-gatherer communities, government representatives, civil society, academia, and private sector actors to address key issues affecting Indigenous lands and carbon markets. NLC’s participation underscored its role as a vital advocate for sustainable land use, human rights protection, and inclusive development.
The Vice Chair further stressed the importance of inclusive dialogue, transparency, and meaningful participation in carbon projects, highlighting the Commission’s advocacy for gender justice and the inclusion of marginalized voices. She encouraged all stakeholders to work collectively to address risks such as land dispossession and human rights violations that may arise within the rapidly growing carbon market sector.
Commissioner Hon. Tiyah Galgalo also addressed the summit, focusing on the slow pace of community land registration. She urged organizations involved in the process to accelerate their efforts to ensure Indigenous communities can secure their land rights and benefit from development initiatives.
Discussions at the summit focused on strengthening Indigenous community voices, developing strategies for equitable benefit-sharing, and fostering regional collaboration to ensure sustainable development and climate resilience. The NLC reaffirmed its commitment to protecting community land tenure and fostering a transparent, inclusive, and just approach to Kenya’s engagement in carbon markets.