As provided for by Article 260 of the Constitution, Land in Kenya is defined as the surface of the earth and the subsurface rock, any body of water on or under the surface, marine waters in the territorial sea and exclusive economic zones, natural resources completely contained on or under the surface and the airspace above the surface. It represents an important resource for the economic life of a majority of people in Kenya. The way people handle, and use land resource is decisive for their social and economic well-being as well as for the sustained quality of land resources. Land use however is not only a realm of those directly using it; it is exposed to part of the wider reality of social and economic development and change. Land use therefore is a highly dynamic process. This implies that policy formulation and development planning need to be based on a sound understanding of these dynamics.
Throughout human history, land has played a significant role in society. Land has been the focus of productive activities and a source of political power in any given society. All nations in the world are land based units, whose boundaries reflect social, cultural and political identity. From a human settlements point of view, land is a principle instrument in fostering social justice, development, provision of decent dwellings and health conditions; and therefore, its use should reflect the interest of the society as a whole.
Key challenges face the optimal and sustainable use of land in Kenya. The judicious management of natural resources, land being one, is based on the premise that an equitable and sustainable relationship between human and natural resource is fundamental and essential for stability and progress of the land sector in a nation’s development.
The biggest challenge that the country faces is to strike a balance between satisfying the human livelihood needs and sustainable use of resources for posterity. Other challenges include:
- The decline in the supply of pastures and portable water which stirs conflicts among pastoralists and between small and large-scale irrigation farmers.
- Poor quality of air and water which increases disease risks in human beings, livestock, wildlife and extinction of other life forms.
- Destruction of water catchment areas that causes shortage of water and electricity supply necessitating rationing.
- Desertification which reduces the productivity of land leading to food insecurity, reduced income and inhibits the accumulation of economic assets.
These challenges spell a gloomy future for the country unless the status quo is changed. The formulation of a National Land Use Policy will thus seek to balance different, yet related, concerns such as food security, human settlements, environmental protection and climate change; and other economic pursuits. The policy will also take cognizance of social, cultural, economic, political and spatial dimensions of development.
PROF. JACOB T. KAIMENYI, PhD, FICD, EGH
CABINET SECRETARY
MINISTRY OF LANDS AND PHYSICAL PLANNING