Nairobi – The National Land Commission, in an initiative involving stakeholders like the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), Pamoja Trust, and Habitat for Humanity, has presented a detailed set of recommended land policies to Alice Wahome, the Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Land, Housing, and Physical Planning.
According to Kenya News Agency, this proposal, as mandated by Article 67(2) (b) of the Constitution of Kenya 2010, is part of the Commission’s responsibility to recommend national land policy to the government every ten years. The recommendations encompass key aspects of land governance, such as land tenure and rights, land administration and management, land use planning, environmental conservation, climate change, land and food security, and resolving land-related conflicts. These recommendations will form the basis for the national government’s review and update of the land policy, ensuring it remains relevant to contemporary and future sectoral dynamics.
At an event in Nairobi hotel, CS Wahome recognized the necessity of routinely updating land policies to keep pace with the evolving landscape of land management and use. She emphasized the critical role of land as an economic resource and the need for its equitable, efficient, productive, and sustainable management, in accordance with principles set out in Articles 60 to 68 of the constitution.
Wahome underscored the government’s commitment to eliminating gender discrimination in land and property matters and promoting community-led initiatives for settling land disputes. This aligns with the constitutional principles and addresses some of the prevalent issues in land governance.
The CS assured that the ministry would finalize the policy review and development process by the end of the financial year. This process includes public participation, cabinet approval of the policy, and subsequent presentation to Parliament for debate.
Principal Secretary Nixon Korir, in his address, highlighted the challenges faced by the ministry, including underfunding, the growing population in urban areas, and the impacts of climate change on land conservation. These challenges underscore the need for a comprehensive and adaptable land policy framework to guide Kenya’s future land use and management.