Samburu community to regain control of ancestral land after 35-year dispute
Several attempts to resolve the issue through official channels failed, leaving local families without formal recognition of their ancestral holdings.
After decades of uncertainty, the Samburu community is poised to regain legal control of 2,764 hectares of land, ending a dispute that has lasted more than 35 years.
The National Land Commission (NLC) has initiated steps to hand back the parcel, signalling a breakthrough for residents who have lived on and relied upon the land for generations.
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The land, officially known as Samburu/Lodokejek/15 and previously designated as Kelele Holding Ground under the former Samburu County Council, has been at the centre of prolonged disagreements since the 1980s.
Several attempts to resolve the issue through official channels failed, leaving local families without formal recognition of their ancestral holdings.
The commission’s move follows a formal recommendation to the Ministry of Lands advising that the area be set aside for settlement by the Samburu pastoralist community.
According to historical records, the county council had already decided in January 1983 to return the land to locals. In 1995, a request was made to the Commissioner of Lands to demarcate and subdivide the land, and the request was approved, but implementation never occurred.
In a communication to the Samburu County government, the commission emphasised: “Upon planning and survey, land in settlement schemes shall be allocated to households in accordance with national values and principles of governance”.
The NLC’s recent validation exercise confirmed that while the land was officially reserved as a livestock marketing holding ground, residents had been using it for housing, farming, and schools.
The commission also noted that formal settlement through proper land planning could help tackle the persistent insecurity that has affected the area for years.
By giving families official rights to the land, authorities hope to reduce disputes and create a more stable framework for managing the region.
As the handover process begins, the government is simultaneously making plans to acquire 2,185 acres in Losesia, Samburu East, for the establishment of a security camp and training facility.
While the exact details of the acquisition and timelines remain undisclosed, officials have invited interested parties to engage with the NLC for guidance on the matter.
This initiative represents a significant step toward resolving historical grievances and providing the Samburu community with the certainty they have long sought.
For many residents, the handback offers hope of a secure future and formal recognition of the land they have depended upon for livelihoods and community development.
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