Kenya is edging closer to adopting a land use policy that will safeguard fertile agricultural land from misuse, as MPs rally behind a motion seeking zoning guidelines for farming and built development.
The proposed policy will prohibit the conversion of arable land into commercial or residential estates, ensuring it remains exclusively reserved for food production
While moving the motion in the National Assembly, Westlands MP Timothy Wanyonyi said motion is informed by the existing situation that areas that were mainly agricultural have been turned into commercial or residential housing development.
“This motion emphasizes the importance of sustainable land use in the environmental conservation as stipulated in article 69 of the constitution of Kenya,” said Hon. Wanyonyi
He noted that the lack of clear guidelines in the access and use of land is often a recipe for conflict and violence adding that the motion seeks to prevent land use conflict between agriculture and build development zoning.
“If established, such a policy will permanently earmark areas for agriculture only, increasing productivity as well as enhance food security,” he added
While considering the motion MPs said agricultural land in rural areas is continuously being subdivided into small portions for build development hence shrinking the land available for agriculture.
The issue is said to be prominent in the rural areas, with the lawmakers saying there is need to put measures for effective land use in order to guarantee optimal use for agriculture.
They emphasized that despite existing policies including The Agricultural policy of 2021, The National Land Use policy, poor coordination has left land management unregulated and unsustainable.
“Fertile land is being used to build houses and unless that issue is addressed land is going to diminish because population is on the rise increasing the demand for human habitat,” said Julius Sunkuli, Kilgoris MP.
Dagoretti South MP John Kiarie painted a grim picture of urbanization in Kiambu. “The people of Kiambu out of need, and the globalization drive have decided to uproot the crops that were in Kiambu so they can plant houses to be harvesting rent, the shambas are not any bigger than the size of a handkerchief to the extent that, what is left for arable land is reducing by the day.”
MPs also faulted county governments for failing to enforce coherent urban planning even after devolution.
“It is even surprising that even with devolution most county governments have not come up with proper urban planning for their business centers within the counties, Nairobi county is one such case,” said Caroli Omondi, MP for Suba South
Debate in the house also touched on the legal framework of land ownership. Legislators argued that the principle of absolute proprietorship enshrined in the Land Act gives land owners excessive powers, often at the expense of food security.
“The title deed that we produce in Kenya is called absolute proprietorship, it therefore gives you absolute power over your land with very few restrictions and unless we tamper this absolute proprietorship to make it possible for government to intervene on how you may not use your land, people will not care whether the nation produces food or even future generation,” said Hon. Sunkuli
His sentiments were echoed by Hon. Omondi who said Kenya risks a food secyrity crisis unless it embraces both legislative reforms and cultural changes in land use.
“Basically, we are facing uncertainty on matters food security because of our land use patterns and until and unless we appreciate this and embrace social cultural changes that are so essential, we can pass many laws but if we are not ready to lead the modern urban life, we are staring at a disaster,” added Hon. Omondi
With unpredictable weather patterns worsening under the climate change, MPs want the proposed policy to integrate climate resilience measures while ensuring public participation in its formulation.
They argue that involving farmers and communities in zoning decisions will strengthen the link between land use, livelihoods and environmental conservation.
The lawmakers are now urging the government to fast-track the development of a comprehensive land use policy backed by strong legislation
