Kenya's new constitution to solve land conflicts

Land rights are a difficult issue in Kenya, as in many other African countries where land title deeds are not common. This leads to serious tensions and conflicts between the indigenous rural population and governmental institutions that often give preference to the tourism sector.

As Patrick Schellong reports, by the end of 2012, a new constitution should be in place in Kenya which is aimed at regulating the distribution of land and at redressing problems created in the past. Local communities who were displaced when their ancestral land was earmarked for wildlife conservation and tourism might be able to return to their land or may at least expect compensation.

This might also apply to the Samburu in Laikipia District who were recently displaced and have filed a case against their displacement. Many of them are now living in temporary huts. While there is hope, there are also doubts whether this land reform will actually be implemented successfully. Earlier reform efforts in Kenya had failed.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              -ck-