TRANSITION
NAIROBI
3rd October 2023
The National Land Commission will continue to spearhead the conversation and implementation of land reforms in Kenya in line with its constitutional mandate and the various enabling laws.
Speaking on Tuesday, during the launch of the report on Monitoring Transition of Group Ranches to Community Land in Kenya NLC Chairperson Gershom Otachi said that the enactment of the Community Land Act, 2016 rekindled the hopes of millions of local and indigenous communities in realizing their community land rights.
The report is a result of a study undertaken by the Commission and civil society organisation, NAMATI.
State Department for Lands and Physical Planning Principal Secretary Generali Nixon Korir was the chief guest during the launch, representing the Cabinet Secretary Zachary Njeru. The event was also attended by Commissioners Reginal Okumu, Hubbie Hussein, and Hon. Esther Murugi as well as secretariat staff.
The occasion was also graced by other development partners among them FAO, ICIPE Action Aid Kenya, Samburu Women Trust, the Kenya Editors Guild, Institution of Surveyors of Kenya, Association of Lincesed Land Surveyors of Kenya, and KELIN among others.
The chair further said that the communities who have fully transitioned have subsequently engaged in meaningful socio-economic development, which was previously elusive.
He challenged the group ranches who were yet to begin the process to follow suit noting that only 14% of the group ranches have fully transitioned.
“There is a need for a targeted, all-inclusive sensitization and awareness, adequate financial and human resource allocation for the country to achieve 100% transition,” said Mr Otachi.
Mr Korir also called for closer collaboration among key government institutions involved and communities so as to enable more ranches to make the transition. According to the PS, 14 out of 315 “shows that we are doing something but we should do more.”
On her part, the Commission’s Chief Executive Officer Kabale Tache Arero thanked the strategic partners for supporting the production of the reports.
“The report we are launching here today, is a result of the strategic collaboration between the National Land Commission (NLC), NAMATI Kenya, Ministry of Lands, Public Works, Housing, and Urban Development and County Governments” Said Ms Kabale.
“The National Land Commission (NLC) is required under Section 5(2)(b) of the National Land Commission Act, 2012 to “monitor the registration of all land rights and interests in land.” She adds.
The CEO said that the exercise measures the performance of NLC in land administration and policy implementation, which, in turn, informs policy design and reform.
The report that was launched today found that out of 315 group ranches in the country, on 14 have transitioned to community land as required by law.
Kajiado and Laikipia counties had reported 100% transition while Samburu was equally doing well with 21 out of 25 group ranches having transitioned. Other counties like Taita Taveta and West Pokot were also inching towards completing the transition.
On the other hand, Narok, Siaya, Baringo, Kitui, KilifiKilifi and Kwale had registered zero transition since the Community Land Act was adopted in 2016.