West Pokot rolls out campaign on use of alternative justice systems

West Pokot County is rolling out a capacity-building and awareness campaign to help communities resolve land disputes through the Alternative Justice Systems (AJS) framework.

The Department of Lands, Housing, Physical Planning and Urban Development hosted a workshop for senior technical officers who will lead community training programmes.

County Lands Executive Esther Chelimo said the training—funded by the European Union and the Food and Agriculture Organization— is part of the ongoing implementation of the Digital Land Governance Programme.

She said one of the programme’s key outputs focuses on strengthening conflict- and dispute-resolution mechanisms relating to land and natural resources through AJS.

“Land disputes remain among the most persistent challenges affecting communities and development across Kenya, including in West Pokot,” Chelimo said.

She said although formal courts exist, many citizens—especially in rural and marginalised areas—struggle to access them due to high costs and lengthy legal processes.

This, she said, has increased the need for community-driven, affordable dispute-resolution systems that complement formal justice pathways.

Chelimo said AJS is anchored in Article 159(2)(c) of the Constitution and promotes traditional and community-based approaches to resolving conflicts.

“The integration of AJS into land adjudication and registration offers an inclusive and restorative model that strengthens peaceful coexistence and sustainable land management,” she said.

The ongoing workshops aim to equip land officers with practical skills for applying AJS in land administration and to deepen their understanding of how AJS functions within community land ecosystems.

Chelimo urged officers to uphold transparency, accountability and proper documentation in all AJS processes. She also thanked FAO and the EU for their continued support in strengthening land governance in West Pokot.

She said the county will ensure sensitisation and public awareness campaigns reach all regions.

“We want every resident to be sensitised on land matters, including how to resolve the many disputes we have through AJS, which is faster and more effective,” she said.

Senior officers facilitating the AJS training include Land Adjudication officer Edward Okoth from the Ministry of Lands, Egerton University lecturer Kioko Kivandi, representatives from the West Pokot Judiciary led by Senior resident magistrate Kenei Kipchumba and County Lands Registrar Isaac Sabuni.