Land in Kenya is a critical resource impacting peoples’ livelihoods and holding great economic, cultural, environmental and political importance. The quest for gender equality has not been alien to rights to land use and ownership. Land reforms have provided a beacon of hope for a more equitable and favourable situation for women to own, manage, access and transfer or otherwise transact in land and immovable property. The 5 year long reform process culminated in a comprehensive National Land Policy in 2009 which is anchored in the Constitution of Kenya 2010. Significant institutional and legislative reforms have followed notably; the establishment of a Environment and Land Court and the National Land Commission, the enactment of substantive legislation on land and land registration viz The Land Act 2012 and the Land Registration Act 2012.
The gender forum on 30th January 2014 hosted land law practitioners, policy champions, duty bearers and the public seeking to examine the realisation of land rights for women in Kenya, and establish;
- What is the status of land reform with reference to equal rights for all?
- To what extent have land law reforms improved the situation of women in Kenya? and
- How are women in Kenya poised to claim rights pertaining to land and immovable property?
Discussion Panel:
Mr. Odenda Lumumba - The Kenya Land Alliance, Prof. Patricia Kameri-Mbote - University of Nairobi, Prof. Ambreena Manji - British Institute in Eastern Africa, The National Land Commission (TBC), Carol Kinya Mburugu - Kituo Cha Sheria, Belice Odamna - KELIN Kenya. Moderated by Mrs. Teresa Omondi-Adeitan - FIDA K
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