West Pokot unveils land use plan and issues titles

Five communities in West Pokot have received titles to their community land in a move aimed at strengthening land rights and promoting the sustainable use of land resources.

The beneficiary communities are Alale, Kiwawa, Mbaru, Kases and Chelopoy. Residents welcomed the issuance of the titles, describing it as a significant recognition of their rights and ownership of ancestral land.

The titles were issued during an event presided over by West Pokot Deputy Governor Robert Komolle, who also launched the County Physical and Land Use Development Plan (CPLUDP) 2026–36.

The plan is expected to guide sustainable land use, physical planning, environmental conservation, urban development and socioeconomic growth across the county over the next decade.

“Land is a key resource with many uses and benefits, hence the need for us to have a proper plan that will guide how we use it to maximise its benefits,” Komolle said.

The launch was attended by a delegation from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), including lead technical officer for land and water at the FAO Regional Office for Africa, Nzeyimana; FAO Representative in Kenya, Farayi Zimudzi; and Governance and Social Inclusion Lead and Digital Land Governance Programme manager, Husna Mubarak.

Komolle reaffirmed the county government's commitment to promoting orderly development, sustainable management of natural resources and secure land tenure as key drivers of economic transformation and improved livelihoods.

“With this plan, we will be able to ensure we put our land to good use so it can help transform the lives of all residents in this county,” he said.

The deputy governor said the issuance of community land titles would empower local communities to make informed decisions on how to utilise their land for social and economic development.

“The beneficiary communities will now have full capacity to decide how to use their land and we urge them to do so through proper planning as guided by the land use plan we have launched,” he said.

The County Physical and Land Use Development Plan was developed with technical and financial support from the European Union and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations through the Digital Land Governance Programme.

Komolle praised the development partners for supporting the process, saying their contribution had enabled experts to develop a comprehensive land-use framework that will guide the county’s growth for years to come.

“The plan will remain in place for the next decade and has been developed with clear foresight, focusing on how the county will develop across various sectors for the benefit of residents,” he said.

County officials expressed optimism that the plan, together with secure community land ownership, will promote better land management, reduce disputes and unlock development opportunities across West Pokot.