Seminar: Kenyan Land Reform: From Paper to Practice (and the Role of Civil Society)

Will Kenya's New Land Bills Safeguard People's Land Rights and Food Security?

This informal presentation will discuss the opportunities and challenges facing Kenya’s land reforms and will be based on the experiences of Kenyan land rights expert and activist David Barissa (ActionAid). A new National Land Policy (2009) and an emphasis on land rights and governance in Kenya’s renewed (2010) constitution provide an important opportunity to improve people’s access to and control over land as well as food security. Meanwhile, tensions and even conflict over land and the risks of land grabbing remain; and the development and implementation of new land bills is challenging. NGOs also have a role to play, as they influence policies, raise awareness on rights and legislation and support communities in claiming their rights and holding institutions to account. The recently adopted Voluntary Guidelines on Land Tenure (FAO) provide additional momentum and a framework for national land legislation. What are the experiences and expectations of these new land bills? What opportunities and challenges are there for land rights and food security? And what role is there for NGOs and academics?