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“The best thing is that every person has the right to access and own land, regardless of gender. Even if they are male or female, orphans or widows, they should have equal access to land.”

Kaunda Lenamparasio

Chairperson, Learoni Community Land Management Committee
Member of the County Assembly of Samburu, Kenya

Land is so important to our people here. For everything we do for livelihoods and development, we need land.

The best thing is that every person has the right to access and own land, regardless of gender. Even if they are male or female, orphans or widows, they should have equal access to land. Women’s right to land plays a key role, especially in nutrition, as they primarily practice farming and produce food and vegetables for their families.

Colonial-era legislation favored men and excluded women, orphans, and widows from land ownership. This injustice hindered self-determination for marginalized groups within our community. However, the Community Land Act of 2016 changed that, giving everyone equal access to land.

Transitioning to community land ownership under the new act is a complex process that requires significant resources and legal expertise. Many communities struggle to navigate this process and face the financial burden alone. Without proper support, these communities may lose their ancestral lands, jeopardizing their livelihoods, cultural heritage, and the well-being of future generations.

IMPACT's Vital Role in Addressing Information and Resource Gaps

That’s where IMPACT comes in. They have been a blessing to us, helping with land registration, training, and empowering women. They’ve supported us in establishing a land constitution, bylaws, and a membership register.

IMPACT was a blessing to us—many things needed to be taken care of. Our group ranches were mandated to develop a Land Use Plan, which required expertise and resources. IMPACT supported us through this process and provided everything we needed. We could not have completed this without their legal and financial support.

Through IMPACT’s initiatives, women in our community have been empowered to engage in beekeeping and cultural activities, contributing to their families’ well-being. Exchange visits have allowed us to learn from other communities’ experiences and strengthen our land management strategies.

Hope for the Next Generation

Information is power. My hope for the next generation is that they have their land registered and own it with proper documentation and membership.

Land is essential for constructing homes, farming, and feeding families in our communities. Everyone, regardless of gender or status, should have equal access to land. That is my hope for the future.

With IMPACT’s support, we are building a future where everyone in our community can enjoy the benefits of secure land rights.

“Without proper support, these communities may lose their ancestral lands, jeopardizing their livelihoods, cultural heritage, and the well-being of future generations.”

“My hope for the next generation is that they grow and get the land registered so they can own land with the proper documentation and membership.”