Senior officers from the State Department for Lands and Physical Planning, the Marsabit County Government, and the National Land Commission (NLC) have concluded a nine-day sensitisation campaign across Laisamis Constituency and Loiyangalani Sub-County in Marsabit to educate communities on the Community Land Act and strengthen local land governance.
The joint exercise brought together national and county authorities in an effort to equip residents with information on land rights, registration processes, and the importance of formal community land ownership.
The forums were held in South Horr, Kurungu, Ntaletiani, Gatab in Mt. Kulal, Olturot, Loiyangalani, Elmolo Bay, and Kargi, areas where community land plays a central role in cultural identity, heritage, and local livelihoods.
The initiative focused on helping residents understand governance structures, management responsibilities, and the benefits of formalising community land ownership.
Welcoming the team, Marsabit County Commissioner James Kamau said the initiative provides communities with knowledge and support to secure their land rights.
“Your presence here gives our communities the clarity and confidence they need to protect their land and plan their future. This sensitisation will help reduce disputes, enhance cohesion, and ensure that every resident understands the value and responsibilities of community land,” he said.
Deputy Director of Land Adjudication and Settlement, Andrew Khaemba, who led the State Department for Lands team, said secure community land tenure is key to reducing conflicts, promoting sustainable resource management, and encouraging investment.
“Community land registration is not just a legal process but also a pathway to empowerment. We want every community in Marsabit to secure their land, avoid conflicts, and benefit from the resources around them,” he said.
He noted that natural resources are shared assets and emphasised the need for cooperation, coexistence, and fair access among communities.
He added that the forums highlighted the importance of cohesion and equitable benefit-sharing to promote peace and sustainable development.
County leaders also underscored the value of strengthening community capacity on land matters. Marsabit County Executive Committee Member for Lands (CECM) Adan Hirbo said that community land registration provides legal protection and opportunities for growth.
“The Community Land Act gives our people a voice. Once communities register their land and form governance structures, they open the door to development, stability, and future investments,” he said.
Chief Officer for Lands Galm Guyo welcomed the joint exercise, saying the county government remains committed to supporting such initiatives.
“We are proud to have supported this initiative and commend the collective effort that made it a success. We remain committed to continued collaboration to build on the progress achieved,” he said.
The forums also recorded significant participation by women, who actively engaged in discussions on community land and natural resource governance, reflecting growing interest in inclusive decision-making.
The NLC emphasised the importance of strong governance systems, including Community Land Management Committees (CLMCs). Marsabit County Coordinator Abdullahi Jillo noted that well-informed communities are better positioned to prevent land disputes and create an enabling environment for investment.
“When communities understand how to manage their land collectively, they prevent disputes and attract investors. Knowledge is the first step toward economic transformation,” he said.
Local elders and residents expressed appreciation for the awareness campaign, saying that understanding the law has been a longstanding gap.
“For years, we feared losing our land because we did not know the law. Today, we finally understand how to protect our heritage for future generations,” said Edidio Lekulo during the Olturot forum in Mt. Kulal.
Following the sensitisation, communities were guided on the initial steps toward registering community land — a process aimed at strengthening their land rights and ensuring transparent and fair benefit-sharing from local natural resources.
Proper registration is expected to help residents participate more effectively in local investment opportunities, including projects such as the Lake Turkana Wind Power initiative.
The sensitisation marks the beginning of a broader process that will progress to the registration of communities and subsequently the registration of their community land.
This forms part of ongoing national efforts to enhance community land governance, deepen public participation, and support communities in securing their land rights under the Community Land Act, 2016.
