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Social Movements

Rights are hard won and easily lost.

“IMPACT stands united in our commitment to protecting our land, identity, and future.”

Putting the Community Land Act into Practice Through the Community Land Summit

IMPACT is leading the struggle to implement the Community Land Act 2016 by empowering communities to convert group ranches to community lands and registering former trust lands. Through these initiatives, IMPACT has supported numerous Laikipia, Samburu, Isiolo, and Marsabit communities to secure their land rights. IMPACT works closely with community land activists to educate communities about the land registration process and assists them in navigating the legal requirements to successfully register their land. 

In addition, IMPACT organizes an annual Community Land Summit to address emerging issues for community land registration, bringing together key actors, state agencies, and community organizations. These summits provide a platform for stakeholders to discuss challenges, share best practices, and collaborate on solutions to ensure the effective implementation of the Community Land Act.

Supporting Community Land Registration
Building Communities’ Agency and Collective Action

Empowering Indigenous Communities to Stand for Their Rights

As a trusted ally, IMPACT provides access to justice for Indigenous communities, mobilizes powerful social movements, like the Camel Caravan, to raise concerns about water usage, and engages in policy advocacy to restore vital water resources.

Improving Relationships with County and National Governments

Bridging the Gap Between Communities and Authorities to Secure Indigenous Land Rights

IMPACT works to strengthen relationships between Indigenous communities and local and national governments. By signing a memorandum of understanding with the National Lands Commission, IMPACT has taken a bold step towards ratifying community land nationwide.

The Community Land Summit brought together over 400 delegates from Indigenous communities, civil society organizations, government representatives, private sector actors, researchers, and development partners.

Featured Event

Community Land Summit 2023

Indigenous peoples and pastoralist communities in Kenya face numerous challenges related to land rights, access to natural resources, and sustainable development. 

IMPACT Kenya’s Initiative

In collaboration with the County Government of Samburu, PARAAN Alliance, and other partners, IMPACT Kenya organized the Community Land Summit 2023 to address these critical issues. 

The summit aimed to foster dialogue, share success stories, and develop action plans to secure Indigenous land rights and promote gender equality in land ownership and natural resource management.

Key Topics and Discussions

Plenary discussions covered topics such as:

  • The status of registration of community lands in Kenya and the role of women and youth in governance
  • Gender equality in land ownership, use, and access to investments, focusing on women and youth investment opportunities in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs)
  • Women and youth involvement in conservation, eco-tourism, and the livestock economy
  • Climate financing and community resilience, including effective benefit-sharing modalities
  • Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) regarding investments in community lands

By providing a platform for these discussions, the Community Land Summit 2023 played a vital role in building effective social movements for Indigenous land rights, navigating legal frameworks and government policies, and strengthening partnerships between communities and authorities.

Without events like the Community Land Summit, Indigenous communities risk losing their voices and the opportunity to advocate for their rights and participate in decision-making processes that directly impact their lives and livelihoods. 

IMPACT’s commitment to organizing such events is crucial in the fight for justice, equality, and sustainable development for Indigenous peoples in Kenya and beyond.

Together, we make an impact.

Stand in solidarity with Indigenous peoples for land rights, sustainable livelihoods, and cultural preservation.