NAIROBI
9/7/2026
The National Land Commission has today launched the Dryland Natural Assets Inventory and Participatory Mapping Reports for three counties of Isiolo, Samburu and Laikipia as well as Guidelines for Participatory Natural Assets Mapping
Speaking during the launch National Land Commission Chairperson Dr. Abdillahi Sagaaf Alawy said that the event marks marked a milestone in Kenya’s journey towards safeguarding our natural heritage through informed land governance, evidence-based planning and responsible stewardship of the shared resources.
He said that the commission maintains that sustainable development begins with knowing what the country has, understanding where it is, appreciating its value and putting in place the necessary measures to protect it for present and future generations.
According to Dr. Sagaaf the reports builds on the foundation established by the Kenya Natural Atlas document that was developed by the Commission.
On his Part, Land Administration and Management Committee Chairperson Commissioner Vincent Kigen said that Kenya has made significant progress in documenting land ownership through survey, adjudication, title registration and spatial planning but has made little progress in documenting natural assets that sustain Kenya’s landscape especially in arid and semi-arid areas.
NLC Chief Executive Officer Kabale Tache said that the launch is a culmination of an ambitious journey that began with a simple but fundamental question: How do we secure and sustainably manage natural assets that have never been documented?
She said that for the National Land Commission, the answer lay in bringing together science, technology, public institutions & non-state actors and, most importantly, communities.
“These reports are therefore not simply publications. They are the product of an extensive, inclusive and evidence-driven process that brought together local communities, county governments, national government agencies, researchers, conservation organizations and development partners to identify, verify and map some of Kenya’s most critical dryland natural assets.” Said The CEO.
“The Commission firmly believes that effective land governance must be informed by reliable data.” The CEO added.
On his part Chief Guest Environment Principal Secretary Dr. Eng. Festus Ngeno said that Kenya is endowed with enormous natural resources which when tapped well it will give Kenyans a sense of pride, further adding that these natural resources sustain tourism, home to wildlife and the need to protect it is key.
He challenged all actors in the sector to embrace the recommendations contained in the reports and to work together in securing Kenya’s natural assets as an integral component of our national heritage and green development agenda.
In his speech that was read by Environment Secretary Dr. Sally Kimosop, the PS thanked the commission and development partner Wyss academy for an incisive detailed report for the three counties
Commissioners Hon. Tiyah Galgalo, FCPA Susan Oyatsi, Daniel Muriungi, Hon. Mary Senata NLC Directors Ben Bett (Human Resource and Administration), Brian Ikol (Legal Affairs and Dispute Resolution), CPA Bernard Cherutich (Finance and Corporate Planning), Joel Ombati (Valuation and Taxation), Dr. Samuel Nthuni (Land Administration and Management) several Deputy Directors led by Ben Opaa (Natural Resource) were among those in attendance.