Civil Society Organizations have called for concerted effort in addressing land injustices and conflicts in the country.
Director at RECONCILE Non-Governmental Organization Ken Otieno pointed out that there is tension when it comes to transition of group ranches to community land.
He was speaking in Nakuru on Wednesday during a meeting convened by RECONCILE through sponsorship of European Union and Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, that brought together Land sector non state actors, Nakuru County Civil Society Organizations Forum members.
Otieno noted that there has been tension between private tenure and communal tenure that if not addressed might escalate into political tension.
“There are a lot of conflicts that we are also recognizing and causing tension that if not addressed might lead to political tension” said Otieno.
The RECONCILE Director also took the opportunity to call for the need to have platforms that facilitate dialogue between different stakeholders in the land sector.
According to him, such dialogues will bring on board communities and the political class to find an understanding.
On the issue of women being sidelined to own land or have succession, Otieno clarified that those doing so are contravening the constitution of Kenya which does not discriminate against anyone on matters of land ownership.
“It is important for us to start engaging communities and political class through dialogue. The issue of the right to own land is legal and the constitution does not discriminate on anyone” said Otieno.
Similar sentiments were echoed by Executive Director Pamoja Trust Organization Samuel Olando who noted that conflicts on land arise during succession.
He added that the tiresome succession process has been a hindrance to many widows in the country when it comes to land matters.
On Digitization of Land records, Olando called on the National government to be keen so that no one is locked out of the process especially for the vulnerable that have no land ownership documents.
“The process of succession is a long one and has been locking out women especially widows and orphans from owning land. The government should therefore look into the issue to avert discrimination of such groups who might be locked out” said Olando.
On her part Ms Bancy Kubutha from Nakuru County Civil Society Forum, noted that Land is a natural resource that touches on many lives hence called on the County Government of Nakuru to ensure proper planning.
As Nakuru gets into City status, Bancy was categorical that there are many developments that will be witnessed but can only be achieved through a proper spatial plan.
“We call on the county government of Nakuru to expedite the finalization of the Spatial Plan so that as we develop we do not affect people’s lives or create land conflicts” said Bancy.
