Lamu:Residents of Lamu County, who have long sought resolution over ancestral land claims, could soon find a clearer legal path under new regulations proposed by the National Land Commission (NLC). These proposed regulations aim to provide a framework for investigating past injustices and reviewing the allocation of public land.
According to Kenya News Agency, the draft National Land Commission (Historical Land Injustices) Regulations, 2026, and the draft Review of Grants and Dispositions of Public Land Regulations, 2026, outline the procedures for addressing historical land grievances. Commissioner Mohammed Abdi Haji highlighted the significant land issues in Lamu County, where more than 60% of the land is classified as public, and many residents lack title deeds due to a lack of demarcation since Independence.
Haji noted that many conflicts in Lamu trace back to the colonial era when land was declared government property in 1908. Displaced families from the Shifta War in the 1960s are among those seeking settlement and title issuance. The NLC aims to present the draft regulation policy document to Parliament early next year, with public consultations already occurring in 15 counties.
The proposed regulations allow communities to lodge claims through an authorised representative or for the Commission to initiate investigations. Claims can be made orally and documented by Commission officers, with assistance provided to claimants lacking complete information. In areas with clustered claims, the Commission may conduct a consolidated investigation to streamline the process.
An admissibility checklist in the draft covers injustices from June 15, 1895, to August 27, 2010, addressing issues such as illegal land acquisitions and politically motivated evictions. Ahmed Loo, the County Chief Officer for Lands, noted that these regulations would help resolve longstanding disputes and promote equity and restorative justice.
Feisal Mirji, a local leader and Lamu West Constituency MP aspirant, expressed hope that the regulations will offer necessary safeguards for public land management. The draft encourages reconciliation and alternative dispute resolution, requiring authorities to implement recommendations within a legal timeframe and to provide progress reports.
