Policy brief

Rethinking land policy for Kenya's pastoral communities: the path to sustainable development

This brief aims to inform the Kenyan government’s review of the NLP of 2009 from a pastoralist perspective, to ensure that the NLP recognises and secures pastoralists’ land rights.

Publisher SPARC
By Ken Otieno Fiona Flintan Michael Ochieng Odhiambo Collins Odote Charles Kagema
Supporting livelihoods and markets Understanding land and conflict Working in a changing climate Africa Kenya

The land reforms instigated by the National Land Policy (NLP) of 2009 saw Kenya implement a comprehensive roadmap for land administration and management. The NLP was, for pastoralists, a step forward as the policy sought to secure their land rights.

The NLP began to be reviewed in 2023. Kenya’s drylands – arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs) – have been coming under increasing pressure from agricultural expansion, infrastructure, housing, and large-scale land investment. These developments encroach on pastoral lands and often lead to the displacement of pastoralists and the loss of key grazing areas, and they restrict pastoralists’ mobility, undermining their ability to manage variable natural resources. Individualisation and privatisation of former trust and group ranches potentially also undermine pastoralism.

After reviewing the literature, running dialogue sessions with specialists, and engaging with stakeholders, we recommend the review of the NLP of 2009 should:

 

Don't miss this blog on 'Transforming land policy for Kenya's pastoralists: an opportunity for sustainable development in drylands'.


Source URL: https://www.sparc-knowledge.org/publications-resources/rethinking-land-policy-kenya