In December 2009, Kenya adopted a new National Land Policy with the purpose of resolving the myriad of land tenure problems throughout the country. The policy calls for the recognition of customary community lands and land governance, addressing inequitable land distribution rooted in historical injustices, instituting a transparent and accountable system of land administration, and ensuring the effective protection of women’s rights to land and related resources, including the provision for joint spousal registration and documentation of land rights. Along with the new Constitution that Kenya adopted in August 2010, which includes a Bill of Rights for its citizens, the National Land Policy, if implemented in its full intent, will represent a significant change towards equitable access to land, sustainable land use, and secure land rights. The news stories from Kenyan national newspapers below provide additional information.
News stories on women’s land rights in Kenya: