ROLE OF COMMUNITY LAND IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE ASALs

Presentation by John Letai; Pastoralist Policy Research, Advocacy and Resource Tenure - PAPRART

12th MARCH 2015

PAPER PRESENTED AT RECONCILE CONFERENCE ON LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES Sarova Panafric Hotel; Nairobi Kenya

Back Ground of ASALs Arid and Semi-Arid Lands form 80% of Kenyas Land mass and cover about 467,200 sq Km. Total Population 10million approx. 19% of Kenya's Population. ASALs host about 75% of the countrys livestock with an estimated market value of USD 1 billion.75 % of Wildlife in the ASALs They provide direct livelihoods to more than 7.5 million people.Areas is characterised by hot and dry climate, with low and erratic rainfall that varies widely across space and time

Brief History of the ASALs MARGINALIZATION AND EXCLUSIONLowest development indicators and highest incidence of poverty Weak economic integration, limited political leverageChallenging natural environment, isolated and highly insecure High levels of risk with cronic vulnerability

THE NEW PARADIGM SHIFTGovt policies have began recognizing role of ASALs i.e. new constution, vision 2030Investment in socio economic and political developmentRecognition of different livelihood options and communities living in ASALsThe talk is that the future of Kenya is in the ASALs

Challenges of the new paradigm shift Investment requires land thus communities living in the ASALs might continue losing access to their ancestral lands uncoordinated and badly planned development have contributed to poverty, food insecurity and chronic vulnerability will this be the case again? Lack of recognition and definition of community land through enactment of proper laws and legislations. i.e. delay in enactment of community land law?The current of conflict along the proposed development corridors i.e. LAPSSET; (Tana river, Isiolo, Kapedo).

Objective of this Presentation To give a brief explanation of what community land is as outlined in the new constitution

To identify government flagship projects in the ASALs associated with the new paradigm shift

Give an indications of how a clear legal framework will support the realization of the government development agenda for the ASALs

Community land as defined by the Constitution and National Land PolicyCommunity land is one of the three categories of land provided in the constitution and the National Land Policy Art 63 talks extensively about community land.The article gives the different categories of community land and calls for the development of legislation on community land

Broadly defines community land as land which shall vest in and be held by communities identified on the basis of ethnicity, culture or similar communities of interestArticles 63 to 66 in the National Land policy equally details the policy guideline or thinking on community land.NLP made attempts to define the term communityThe Constitution provided that the land act should.

A brief on what other Land Laws say about community land Land Act 2012: - In art. 9. Provides for the conversion of community land to public and or private and vis versa.In art 37. it provides that community land shall be managed in accordance to the community land law.2. Land Registration Act 2012- In art. 8 provisions are made for the registration of community land. It also makes further reference to community land law in guiding community transactions.3. National Land Commission Act 2012- In art 5 (2) (e) talks about the management and administration of unregistered community land.

Government Flagship Projects within the ASALsThese projects are as outlined in government vision 2030 and the Medium Term Plans I and II.

The Projects are either on-going or are earmarked for implementation in the MTPII

Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport Corridor (LAPSSET)A major infrastructure development project that will run from the Kenyan Coast to South Sudan and Ethiopia.Project expected to create new access and links with neighbouring counties to foster regional economic development and substantial job opportunitiesKey Projects in LAPSSETa)A standard gauge railway lineb)A new road networkc)An oil pipeline, crude oil pipeline and refined oil pipelined) A modern oil terminal at Lamu

Tourism Objective is to be a top 10 long haul tourist destination offering a high-end diverse and distinctive visitor experience Key Projects Lamu, Isiolo and Lake Turkana Resort Cities Community-based Tourism Initiatives:- promoting community-based tourism including home stays and cultural tourism development

Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries Establishment of 4 disease free zonesExpansion of Irrigation Coverage: Bura, Hola, Kano, Bunyala, Perkera and MweaASAL Development- irrigation 404,800 hectares will be put under irrigation by 2017 in Turkana and Tana Delta Agricultural Development along the LAPSSET

Oil and Other Mineral Resources Exploration and development of Oil and Other Mineral Resources and development of the LAPSSET corridorOil discoveries in Turkana and prospects in Baringo, Isiolo and Marsabit

Key observations The new dawn of government investment is important in turning around the socio economic and political agenda of the ASALsthe proposed investments will occupy huge chunks of land and require space for implementation: Examples Isiolo resort city 2,600 hectaresTurkana and Tana Delta 404,800 hectares The LAPSSET pipeline 1,400 km long from Lamu to Juba across the ASALsExpansion of irrigation coverage: from 119,000 to 159,000; 3 of the proposed 6 irrigation schemes are in the ASALs.

Questions These projects occupy huge chunks of land across the ASALs Whose Lands are these?What will be the impact of these investments on the current livelihood systems in terms of access to land and communities right to customary tenure, resource use and the impact on environment?d) How do we ensure that communities whose lands the investment take place are properly compensated?

How a clear legal framework will support the realization of government development in ASALs1. Impact on tenure security and individual investmentA well define legal framework will set the pace for targeted investment and sustainable development of ASALs.Security of tenure is assured and investments are protectedA legal framework will eliminate the tenure security vacuum currently witnessed in ASALsIt will remove the notion of Vacant Idle or WastelandsIt will ward off land invasion and eliminate the current land rush/acquisition syndrome.

How a clear legal framework will support the realization of government development in ASALs2. Impact on conflictA clear legal framework will define different tenure regimes, draw boundaries and safeguard the rights of all groups.It will provide safety to different users and security of tenure and reduce competition over space, resource use 3. Complition of land and natural resource mgt reformsWill give right of access and use of resources by different actorsWill put in place policies and legislations on resource use and management of those resources

How a clear legal framework will support the realization of government development in ASALs4. Compensation and land tenure conversion enable users of ASALs to negotiate for fair compensation of their landsEmergence of new administrative structures i.e. right to sell, lease or the concept of private or communal propertyGuide the process of converting land for different uses or forms of management

How a clear legal framework will support the realization of government development in ASALs5. Definition and recognition of different livelihood options existing in the ASALsWill define and recognize the different livelihood options, allocate space and create harmony and satisfaction among different users Will help respect governance structures put in place for the management of the different livelihood systems Will eliminate enchroament and minimize hostilities among different users

How a clear legal framework will support the realization of government development in ASALs6. Well defined land use planning and sustainable development Create opportunity for proper land use planning that will define multiple use that optimizes productivity.Support management, use and sharing of resources Ensure land use zonation, mapping of resources and equitable access by different user groups

Ahsanteni Sana