Pastoralism in Kenya’s land-use policy

The draft National Land Use Policy of Kenya (2016, 59pp) gives some attention to pastoralism, including transboundary issues.

The overall goal of the policy is to provide a legal, administrative, institutional and technological framework for optimal and sustainable utilisation and productivity of land-related resources.

To protect the natural resource and environment in the pastoral arid and semiarid lands (ASALs), the Government shall:

(i) Recognise pastoralism as a legitimate land-use and production system by establishing suitable methods of defining and registering land rights in pastoral areas while allowing pastoralists to maintain their unique land systems and livelihoods;

(ii) Ensure that all land uses and practices under pastoral tenure conform to the principles of sustainable resource management;

(iii) Promote the formulation and implementation of an integrated land-use plan for ASALs;

(iv) Conduct surveys to determine the carrying capacity of land in ASALs;

(v) Provide technologies for surface water storage;

(vi) Facilitate incorporation of indigenous knowledge and the participation of local communities in infrastructural development in pastoral areas;

(vii) Establish flexible and negotiated mechanism for cross-boundary access to protected areas, water, pasture and salt licks among different stakeholders for mutual benefit;

(xiv) Formulate and implement an integrated land-use framework for ASAL areas.

Posted on 5 August 2017 in General Policy Documents, Pastoralism, Policy & Power