24th – 28th February, 2025
Machakos
The National Land Commission in collaboration with Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), through its Land Governance Unit, and with support from the Embassy of Sweden, is hosting a 5day inception workshop to develop a Guide to Community Land Dispute Resolution in the West Pokot and Turkana County.
Under the leadership of National Land Commission, Vice Chair Commissioner Gertrude Nguku, the workshop brings together technical personnel from the National Land Commission (NLC), the State Department for Lands and Physical Planning under the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, as well as representatives from the State Department for Gender and Affirmative Action under the Ministry of Gender, Culture, the Arts and Heritage. Additionally, an IGAD-appointed consultant is supporting the process.
Gertrude Nduku Nguku, while opening the workshop reiterated the Commission’s constitutional mandate to uphold land policy principles outlined in Article 61 of the Kenya Constitution. She emphasised the importance of community-led dispute resolution, aligning with legal frameworks such as the Community Land Act, the Climate Change Amendment Act, and the 2024 Climate Change (Carbon Market) Regulations.
Speaking on her behalf of Dr Fatuma Adan, IGAD Head of Mission to Kenya, Ms. Beth Nyadimo emphasized on the fundamental role of land in livelihoods, food security, culture and identity. She highlighted that the new guideline is intended not only for communities but also for key institutions and non-state actors involved in land conflict resolution. These include the National Land Commission, community leaders, and civil society organisations working with local communities to implement ADR mechanisms.
The guide shall facilitate effective inquiry and sustainable resolution of land related disptues in West Pokot and Turkana Counties, and aligns with the principles fo the equitable, efficient and sustainable land management in Kenya.
This initiative also contributes to IGAD’s broader mandate on peace and security and supports the implementation of the African Union Declaration on Land Issues and Challenges, which encourages regional economic communities to share best practices and coordinate land governance efforts across Africa.