Facilitator Guide: Kenyan Community Land Act

In 2016 Kenya signed into law the Community Land Act (CLA), a progressive piece of legislation that gave life to Article 63 of the Constitution of Kenya. The CLA presents an unprecedented opportunity for communities to legally claim rights to their land and have complete decision-making power about how their land is used and managed. It is in light of this that the Facilitator’s Guide was published. This guide is a toolkit for community facilitators, paralegals, county government officials, and staff of grassroots’ organizations working with communities to claim legal recognition of their land rights. It covers different activities that the facilitator should guide the communities through, including but not limited to:

  • understanding the CLA,
  • drafting bylaws,
  • electing a community land management committee, and
  • mapping and documenting community land.

The guide emphasizes the need for participation by women, youth and the elderly to ensure that the community’s governance structure is strengthened and a reflection of the community as a whole. The guide was officially launched on 27th February 2020 at Four Points by Sheraton in Nairobi, by the FAO Country Representative, Dr. Tobias Takavarasha; Secretary Lands & Director Lands Adjudication Ministry of Lands, Esther Ogega; and Chair of the National Land Commission, Gershom Otachi. Namati has also created: