The process of strengthening community land governance in Marsabit County officially commenced following a courtesy visit to the Uran Sub-County Deputy County Commissioner ahead of the registration of the Uran Community Land Management Committee (CLMC).
The initiative, supported by the Frontier Counties Development Council alongside Drylands and capacity-building partners, marks a major milestone in implementing the Community Land Act, which aims to safeguard community land rights and promote the sustainable management of communal resources.
The Community Land Act continues to play a transformative role across Kenya by providing a legal framework for the recognition, protection, and administration of community land.
For pastoralist communities, secure land tenure remains critical in supporting sustainable livelihoods, peaceful coexistence, climate resilience, and effective natural resource management.
During the engagement, stakeholders emphasised that land is more than an economic resource; it forms the foundation of identity, culture, heritage, and future prosperity for communities living in arid and semi-arid regions.
The registration of Community Land Management Committees is expected to empower local communities with structured governance systems that can manage communal land and resources transparently and effectively.
Officials noted that the Uran CLMC registration exercise is the first in a series of activities scheduled across the region.
The process will continue with the registration of the Obbu Community Land Management Committee before proceeding to the Turbi CLMC registration scheduled for Thursday, 14th May 2026.
The initiative reflects a broader commitment by government agencies, development partners, and local communities toward inclusive governance and protection of community land rights for current and future generations.
Community leaders and stakeholders also expressed optimism that stronger land governance structures will contribute to conflict prevention, improved resource-sharing mechanisms, and long-term economic resilience among pastoral communities in Marsabit County.
The exercise is further expected to strengthen community participation in decision-making processes while promoting sustainable environmental stewardship in fragile dryland ecosystems.
As the registration process progresses across Uran, Obbu, and Turbi, leaders say the initiative represents an important step toward operationalising the Community Land Act and ensuring communities have a stronger voice in the governance and protection of their ancestral lands.