CLAN! and NLC hold public participation in Kajiado on investigation of historical land injustices and the review of grants and dispositions of public land regulations, 2026
Community Land Action Now (CLAN!) in collaboration with National Land Commission (NLC), held a public participation forum at Ilariiak Hotel Kajiado, on 24 September 2026 to collect views on the investigation of historical land injustices and the review of grants and dispositions of public land regulations, 2026.
The meeting was chaired by NLC CEO Kabale Tache Arero who was accompanied by four commissioners. Also present were the County Commissioner (Kajiado County) and representatives of NGAO, Kenya Prisons, chiefs, Patinaai Osim, CJPD, ACK, AJS elders, KCE, Oldonyonyike group ranch, Oloirian, Shompole and Okeri communities, and the media.
The CEO stated that the Commission was carrying out its mandate under sections 14 and 15 of the National Land Commission Act. The meeting was convened in line with section 5(a) of the Statutory Instruments Act and a public notice published in MyGov on 27 April 2026. She stressed that public participation was not a formality. The Commission had come to listen and to find out whether the proposed procedures were realistic, simple, affordable and accessible, and fair to everyone.
“Do we consider our women, or we are still the heads of the household and do what we want as men? It’s very common among pastoralists. Do we consider our elderly amongst us? How about those who are living with disability amongst us?” the CEO asked.
Copies of the drafts were shared and participants were asked to focus on the proposed rules rather than personal land disputes.
CLAN! calls for inclusive participation
Paul Lekapana delivered CLAN!’s remarks on behalf of the chairperson. He described CLAN! as a network of Indigenous Peoples, local communities and organizations from across Kenya (pastoralists, hunter-gatherers, forest communities, settled communities and fisherfolk). He made clear that CLAN! is not a government body but works alongside the Commission as a partner and a resource to communities.
He acknowledged the Memorandum of Understanding between CLAN! and NLC, “We work together on matters of common interest, including Historical Land Injustices. It provides a framework for CLAN! to support the Commission’s work in practical ways by helping communities understand the process, document their experiences, and participate with confidence”
He urged that participation reach women, youth, elders, persons with disabilities and people in remote areas with adequate notice, accessible information and the use of local languages.
He added that communities are looking for recognition of their history, a fair hearing and remedies that are timely and lasting. He reaffirmed that CLAN! Is committed to support the process under the MoU.
Views on the historical land injustices
Many participants wanted NLC to resolve HLI cases faster and within clear timelines. Others called for protection of witnesses in land matters and tougher penalties to stop land grabbers from repeating the offence. Some described special land boards as a major problem and proposed keeping only the regular land boards.
Participants asked how people whose cases are already lodged with the NLC should fill in the forms, and how the Commission will deal with land meant for pastoralist grazing that has already been developed. Several claimed that little public land remains in Kajiado and that leaders and county officials have been the main beneficiaries. They asked the Commission to halt activities on such lands until procedures are agreed and proposed that county governments stop holding land on behalf of communities.
There were also calls for oral history and indigenous knowledge to be accepted as evidence of land ownership, since many communities keep their history by word of mouth and for clear guidance on accessing land archives. Some wanted the NLC to handle cases conclusively without co-opting outside experts and proposed that anyone who loses a community land case twice at the Court of Appeal should have no further claim to that land. Participants also asked CLAN! to actively help Kajiado residents with land registration.
Views on the review of grants and dispositions of public land regulations, 2026
Some participants said matters of public land should remain with the NLC, while others proposed a council of elders drawn from all Maa sub-tribes to work hand in hand with the Commission on land issues among the Maasai. Participants also asked what the NLC is doing about brokers who manipulate the system to obtain illegal titles. Others observed that the two draft regulations look very similar and asked whether they could be combined. It was also proposed that advocates be included under Regulation 7(4) and that the draft define who paralegals are.
The views gathered in Kajiado County public participation forum will be compiled with those from other counties, and members of the public can still send written memoranda to the Commission.