National Land Commission (NLC) has received 740 claims related to historical land injustices ahead of September 21, 2021 deadline.

This signals a new chapter in saving landowners and communities from further property biases.

NLC chairman Gershom Otachi said the commission expects more claims before the expiry of the two months deadline.

Speaking during a media breakfast in Nairobi yesterday, he explained that out of the claims received, 395 have been admitted, 340 are under analysis, 126 have been heard and determined while hearing for five claims is ongoing.

Top three regions

“Geographically, the top three regions are manifest in historical land injustices – Rift Valley has 360 claims, Central region has 114 claims while Coastal region has submitted 101 claims.

However, some counties such as Wajir, Marsabit, Garissa and Turkana are yet to raise any claims.

Isiolo county has submitted only one old claim,” he said adding that the nature of the claims received so far are similar and follow specific patterns.

For example, the patterns relate to colonial displacement, inequitable land adjudication, incomplete land acquisition, natural resources conflicts, forceful evictions and natural disasters. 

“We urge Kenyans and communities with any historical injustice claims to take advantage of the remaining period, and raise their claims in the commission through the commission offices,” he added.  

The commission, he stated, pursuant to Article 67 (3) of the Constitution has the mandate to re receive, admit and investigate all historical land injustice complaints and recommend appropriate redress.

Section 15 of the National Land Commission Act 2012 states, “Upon determination of a historical land injustice claim by the Commission, any authority mandated to act under the redress recommended shall be required to do so within three years.”

The commission has also been undertaking land acquisition for various projects including water and road infrastructure among others.

“Currently, the commission is acquiring land for 10 public projects that will be progressed in year one of the implementation of the strategic plan, including Nairobi Western By-pass road, Nairobi express way road, expansion of Rironi-Mau summit, Nairobi city county military land, Lapsset corridor, James Gichuru junction-Rironi, Karimenu II water dam project.

Ngong-Kiserian-Isinya and Kajiado-Imaroro road, as well as lower Nzoia irrigation development project and Mwache dam,” he added.   

The commission acting chief executive officer Kabale Tache Arero said the commission is committed to secure land rights, manage public land and exercise oversight on use of land and natural resources for the benefit of all Kenyans.