The Evolution of Kenya’s land policy, legal framework and its impact on pastoralism in Kajiado, Kenya
Date
2025
Authors
Mohamed, A. A.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Strathmore University
Abstract
The rise in population globally, the trend towards rapid urbanization, centralisation of land tenure, establishment of strict borders between previously open territories have all challenged the way of life for pastoralists around the world. These pose challenges to human’s connection to the drylands in a way that efficiently protects ecosystems, biodiversity and manages low fertility soils. In many countries, pastoralists are a large portion of the national population, often ethnic minorities numbering between 100 and 200 million people globally (IUCN, 2020). In this dissertation, I explore the possibilities within pastoral land use and management in Kajiado County of Kenya, for the purpose of shaping legislation and policies that capture the experiences and needs of pastoralists. This dissertation intends to: (1) undertake an evaluative study of the state of pastoralism in Kajiado, outlining its problems and prospects; (2) analyze the policy and legal land tenure system at the national and county level; and (3) determine the consequences of the examined policy frameworks on the future of pastoralism. Recognizing the effects of colonial and post-independence land policies on pastoralists, the study offers cross-generational approaches to realign policy to pastoralists lived realities and proposes frameworks that other ASALs could emulate. A qualitative research design was employed. Data were collected through ten semi-structured interviews (n = 10) and one focus group discussion involving ten participants (n = 10), all purposively selected from different sub-counties to reflect diverse pastoralist practices. Participants were selected based on geography, herd size, and experience with land access challenges. Thematic analysis, guided by the Gioia methodology, was applied to synthesize insights from narratives into conceptual patterns using both manual coding and Atlas.Ti software. Findings indicate a significant transformation in pastoral systems. Mobility is declining due to land fragmentation, fencing, and urban encroachment. Pastoralists are shifting from full nomadism to seasonal or semi-sedentary forms. Environmental stress—especially prolonged droughts—has contributed to herd size reduction and forced diversification into farming and informal trade. Digital tools, including mobile phones and climate-monitoring applications, are increasingly used for market access and pasture planning, although access is uneven. The study also highlights the tension between customary tenure systems and formal land governance. While communal grazing lands remain central to pastoralist survival, policies promoting private land titles have disrupted shared access. These institutional and ecological constraints have led to economic instability, rising land-related conflicts, and limited access to markets. The study concludes that pastoralism remains ecologically viable and socially relevant in Kajiado County, but its sustainability depends on policy reform and institutional inclusion. Legal recognition of communal grazing lands, formalization of migratory corridors, and direct participation of pastoralists in land governance are critical.
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Citation
Mohamed, A. A. (2025). The Evolution of Kenya’s land policy, legal framework and its impact on pastoralism in Kajiado, Kenya [Strathmore University]. http://hdl.handle.net/11071/15964