FAO urges Kenya Government to Implement National Spatial Plan
Nairobi - Kenya’s 30 year National Spatial Plan (2015) has officially been launched – setting off a series of policies and strategies that will guide the country’s spatial planning. The plan aims to achieve efficient, productive and sustainable use of land as advocated in Kenya’s Constitution (2010) and the National Land Policy.
The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FA) has provided both technical and financial support with European Union funding towards this achievement.
The colourful launch was hosted by the Ministry of Lands and Physical Planning. Making his address, Cabinet Minister Professor Jacob T. Kaimenyi outlined several key developmental challenges that will be addressed through the spatial plan. These include regional development, optimal utilization of land and natural resources, livable and functional human settlements for better quality of life and an integrated national transportation network and infrastructure system among others.
"The government seeks to promote balanced and sustainable utilization of land resources in the country to prevent ecological depletion and ethnic conflicts. The first national spatial plan for Kenya will help us achieve that goal,” said Professor Kaimenyi.
The plan aims to contribute towards the country’s global competitiveness and economic efficiency while balancing regional development, creating livable and functional human settlements and enhancing environmental sustainability.
The NSP is a flagship project under Kenya’s vision 2030 under social and economic pillars.
FAO’s Governance of Tenure approach
The project falls under FAO’s Responsible Governance of Tenure approach which is a crucial element in determining if and how people, communities and others are able to acquire rights, and associated duties, to use and control land, fisheries and forests.
Incorporated within FAO’s overall strategic objectives, the approach recognizes that to improve food and nutrition security, equitable and secure access and management of land has to be achieved first.
Speaking at the launch, FAO Kenya’s representative Gabriel Rugalema urged all stakeholders to make the plan a living document – calling for action beyond the plan.
“Any plan is good only when it is implemented. It is FAO’s wish to see the NSP being implemented by the national as well as county governments. Any plan is a living document. I believe this plan will be reviewed, revised and updated periodically to keep it in tune with the evolving political and economic landscapes of Kenya,” he said.
The National Spatial Plan will be launched in Kenya’s fourty-seven Counties with FAO’s key implementing activities on land tenure, land administration and land use planning due to take off in the selected counties of Tana River, Turkana, West Pokot, Baringo, Marsabit, Samburu, Laikipia and Nandi. A key objective will be to specifically address some of the challenges facing residents living in community lands and implementing that land policy that protects them.
Contributing to land reforms in Kenya
Some of Kenya’s land challenges can be attributed to land use and distribution. Over 80% of the land area in Kenya is classified as arid and semi-arid (ASAL) with very low agricultural potential. As a result, over 80% of the population is settled on only about 20% of the land (considered to be of medium to high potential). Further, about 70% of the land is held under customary tenure systems of ownership and use, while 10% is categorized as Government Land/Reserves, with only 20% being private land under statute.
Promotion and implementation of inclusive and participatory approaches that improve access and sustainable management of natural resources is an important aspect of the land reforms process. This is because they contribute towards resilient livelihoods and lead to improved food and nutrition security. The most affected populations in Kenya are those living in the dry lands (arid and semi-arid lands).
In order to improve the current situation, inclusive land management and administration will be enhanced in selected counties and participatory land use planning established. In line with FAO’s Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure (VGGT), FAO will also participate in various land policy and legal framework activities. This can only be achieved through selected institutions whose mandate on land and natural resource issues have been established within the country’s new constitution, that seeks to address the disparities and poor planning of the past.
VGGTs serve as a reference and set out principles and internationally accepted standards and practices for the responsible governance of tenure. They provide a framework that States can use when developing their own strategies, policies, legislation, programmes and activities.
They allow governments, civil society, the private sector and citizens to judge whether their proposed actions and the actions of others constitute acceptable practices. All stakeholders are therefore contributors towards the process of achieving a spatial plan that serves the country and its residents.
Contacts
Ruth Njeng’ere | Communications – FAO Kenya | [email protected]
Martina Torma | Communications – FAO Kenya | [email protected]