Kenya to Amend Outdated Land Laws, Introducing Major Land Reforms

KITUI, Kenya – The Kenyan Ministry of Lands, Public Works, Housing, and Urban Development, in collaboration with the National Parliament, is set to amend several outdated land laws to address current land issues in line with the 2010 constitution. Mr. Maalim Mohammed, Secretary Administrator in the State Department for Land and Physical Planning, announced that the proposed Land Reforms Bill will introduce significant changes to the country’s land management system.

According to Kenya News Agency, the bill, once enacted, will facilitate the introduction of new land laws as stipulated in the 2010 constitution. Speaking at a public participation forum in Kitui town, he pointed out that many current land laws, some dating back to 1962, are outdated and in need of review. “The constitution requires that land laws should be reviewed every ten years for better management of land use in the country,” he stated.

The bill aims to resolve several pressing land issues that currently hinder efficient land management and use. Key among the reforms is the digitization and automation of land registration processes, aimed at reducing timelines for property registration and land transactions. The bill will also introduce new land management systems, including self-service through online platforms and cashless transactions, to minimize corruption.

The Land Reforms Bill includes proposals to update outdated land service fees, involve county governments more in land management, and introduce new land service fees and taxes. These measures are expected to enhance government revenue collection. The bill also addresses the leasing of land, regulations on the subdivision of farmland, and maximum and minimum land ownership amounts to prevent negative impacts on food production.

Participants from Makueni, Machakos, Garissa, and Kitui counties called for civic education on the new land reforms. They expressed concern that many citizens are unaware of the changes and risk unknowingly violating the new laws. The need for public awareness and education on these reforms was emphasized to ensure compliance and understanding.

The land reforms, long-awaited and enshrined in the 2010 constitution, aim to alleviate the challenges Kenyans have faced due to the delays in amending land laws over the past 13 years. These reforms are seen as a critical step towards more effective and equitable land use and management in Kenya.