Kenyan communities launch campaign for faster land rights implementation

Indigenous and local communities across Kenya have initiated the "Sajili Ardhi ya Jamii Campaign," a nationwide effort urging the government to accelerate the implementation of the Community Land Act of 2016. This law was intended to secure community ownership rights nearly a decade ago, but organizers state that only 64 out of approximately 1,000 community lands have received title deeds since 2016. The campaign highlights that millions of hectares remain unregistered due to costly and lengthy procedures, leaving many communities vulnerable to land grabbing, displacement, and conflicts. The current registration process can cost up to KSh 20 million, which is unaffordable for many, and is further hampered by paper-based land records. The campaign calls on President William Ruto's government to introduce a more affordable and community-driven registration system, allow communities to lead in identifying and mapping their land boundaries, and implement a nationwide mass registration program. They also advocate for amendments to key laws, including the Adjudication Act, the Survey Act, and the Community Land Act, to reduce bureaucratic hurdles and lower costs. The ultimate goal is to ensure all eligible community lands are registered and issued with title deeds by 2030. The campaign is a collaborative effort involving organizations such as the Drylands Learning and Capacity Building Initiative, Community Land Action Now!, and Namati.