Sessional Paper No. 01 of 2017 on National Land Use Policy

Abstract

The overall goal of the national land use policy is to provide legal, administrative, institutional and technological framework for optimal utilization and productivity of land related resources in a sustainable and desirable manner at national, county and community levels. The Policy is premised on the philosophy of economic productivity, social responsibility, environmental sustainability and cultural conservation. Key principles informing it include efficiency, access to land use information, equity, elimination of discrimination and public benefit sharing. The Policy is cognizant of numerous factors that affect land use in Kenya which include geographic and ecological features, population distribution, social, historical, cultural and economic factors. Other key factors are administrative, institutional and policy instruments, investment, urbanization and land tenure. So as to ensure efficient, productive and sustainable use of land, key measures shall be taken by the government (both national and county) and all land users. These include: sound land use practices, conservation and enhancement of the quality of land and land-based resources and the proper management of demographic and health parameters. The Government shall institute mechanisms designed to induce land owners to put their land to productive use and encourage the application of efficient technology for the intensification of land use. Urban land use will be improved through measures such as establishing transparent, accountable, sustainable, comprehensive and participatory governance structures and decision-making processes.