The journalists interview a member of Moisul Community Land group @FAO/Joseph Othieno

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in collaboration with the government of Kenya through its EU/FAO funded Digital Land Governance Programme (DLGP) held a three-day training workshop for journalists on reporting on land, environment, and natural resources.  The main goal of the workshop was to equip the Kenyan journalist with policy, legal and institutional frameworks in Kenya and other interesting perspectives on environment, and natural resources.

The workshop brought together over thirty journalists drawn from media houses across the country. The topics presented and discussed included land digitalization, county spatial planning, oversight, monitoring and management of land, gender and indigenous people mainstreaming, alternative justice system among others. The presentations elicited very passionate discussions, further showing the newsworthiness of land governance issues in Kenya and subsequently the need to sensitize journalists.

Husna Mbarak the team lead in DLGP at FAO opened the floor with a thought-provoking presentation on the milestones already covered by the project. She noted that FAO’s mandate is to take lead in international efforts to defeat hunger. With a goal to achieve food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. “There is a strong nexus between land and production because land is a factor of production. Unfortunately, large pieces of land are rendered idle and inaccessible because of various disputes and conflict. The alternative justice system is a solution that FAO has supported its development and institutionalization, and we already see the successes registered through this approach.” she said.

Also present during the workshop were Pamela Mutegi from the Ministry Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development, Dr. Mary Wandia from the National Land Commission and David Mwangi Njuru a development expert.  The Judiciary was represented by Judge James Olalo from Nyeri Environment and Land Court and David Njoroge a member of the National Steering Committee Implementation of the Alternative Justice System.  

The training included a field trip to Mayianat and Mosul Community lands in Laikipia County. These two communities are beneficiaries of the DLGP and have gotten title deeds for their lands. The journalists interviewed them and were able to draft a number of articles, TV shots that were reviewed by fellow journalists the following day.

“With the ownership documents were able to utilize our land better, we are now planting pasture through semi-circular bands, and we are also able to plan for grazing on our land so that our livestock can have enough pasture throughout the year.” Said David Salaget a member of the Mosul Community land.

To address the problem of land disputes the programme working with the Judiciary has supported the development and institutionalization of the Alternative Justice System (AJS). This has been adopted in many counties and has seen an increase in settlement of land cases freeing land for agricultural production and development. The Judiciary team shared experiences of how alternative justice system has been a shot in the arm for their work.

“Through AJS people have resolved despites in a record time, saving resources and the emotional stress that comes with otherwise prolonged cases.” Said Judge James Olalo.

“I am very delighted to have attended this workshop. I have been reporting on land for many years, but I have never been taken through such a training. I have learned new perspectives on land issues in Kenya. I am empowered and I will be able to write rich stories moving forward.” Agatha Ngotho a Journalist from the Star Newspaper.

“Such workshops are timely; journalists work in a dynamic environment. News, which is our valuable commodity keeps changing, this is why it is called news. We really need to be trained on the news.” Antony Ndiema a news host from Radio Maisha.

About the Project

The EU funded Digital Land Governance Programme that was launched in March 2022. This followed a pilot -the Land Governance Programme that was successfully implemented in eight counties. The pilot’s success paved way for the upscale which yielded the Digital Land Governance Programme that is currently being implemented in all the 47 counties.

The DLGP’s goal is to support government efforts to improve food and nutrition security, livelihoods and promote sustainable development through equitable and secure access, and management of land as envisioned in the national development blueprint - Vision 2030. Programme aims to improve security of tenure and equitable access to land and natural resources for enhancement of livelihood and sustainable socioeconomic development.

The DLGP has already recorded tremendous successes, notably in setting up the programme implementation structures at both the national and county levels. The programme is working with various stakeholders among them government agencies, Judiciary, Academia, Intergovernmental Institutions, Civil Society Organizations and Community Based Organization.

Both the Programme Advisory Committee (PAC) and Programme Coordination Unit (PCU) have been operationalized and are steering the implementation of the programme at the national level. On the other hand, the County Technical Committees were also formed, and further identified county-specific priority areas after the cluster offices were secured and furnished. The establishment of these structures have complemented the smooth implementation of the DLGP activities across the 47 counties.

The following are some of the output areas of the programme; digitization and digitalization of the land records and processes, enhanced efficient and effective land governance through the digitization and digitalization of land records and processes, improved conflicts and disputes resolution mechanisms on land and natural resources, improved and inclusive policy, legal and institutional frameworks.

For more information contact

Dr. Joseph Othieno

National Communications Specialist

FAO Kenya

Email: [email protected]