In 2016, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Lands, Jacob Kaimenyi, called for greater fairness and transparency in land administration, emphasizing that equitable access to land is essential for sustainable national development.
Speaking during the launch of the Rural Women Land Rights Charter at Laico Regency Hotel, Prof. Kaimenyi highlighted the persistent challenges faced by women in securing land ownership. He noted that cultural traditions and entrenched patriarchal systems have historically limited women’s ability to control or inherit land.
The event also marked the flagging off of participants of the Kilimanjaro Initiative, a continental movement mobilizing African women to convene in Arusha and advocate for stronger protection of women’s land rights and participation in land governance.
Prof. Kaimenyi urged Kenyans to respect Article 60 of the Constitution, which outlines the principles guiding land policy in Kenya, including fairness, efficiency, productivity, and sustainable use of land resources.
Despite women forming the backbone of the agricultural sector, statistics presented at the event showed a significant imbalance in land ownership. Women account for 64% of subsistence farmers and nearly 80% of the agricultural labor force, yet their land ownership in Kenya was estimated to range between 1% and 7%.
Representatives from the Kenya Human Rights Commission also highlighted challenges women encounter when seeking land documentation and services from land offices. They emphasized the importance of translating land policies into local languages to improve understanding and access to land rights information.
Key Demands Presented in the Charter
- The Charter outlined several priorities aimed at strengthening women’s land rights, including:
