The National Land Commission (NLC), in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, has officially commenced a week-long series of hearings into historical land injustices (HLIs) in Isiolo County.
The hearings, which began on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, are being held at the Catholic Diocese of Isiolo Pastoral Centre and will run until Friday, April 11.
The NLC, a constitutional body mandated to manage public land on behalf of the national and county governments, has been traversing counties across Kenya to address long-standing grievances linked to historical injustices involving land ownership, usage, and administration.
These hearings serve as a platform for aggrieved residents to present claims, while also providing an opportunity for respondents and other stakeholders to respond to the allegations.
In Isiolo, the majority of the land disputes center around ancestral claims by indigenous communities over parcels currently occupied by government institutions, including the Livestock Marketing Division (LMD) of the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Defense, and the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS).
Additionally, the commission is examining cases involving incomplete land registration processes, the existence of multiple ownership documents, and disputes stemming from uncoordinated land use planning.
Reports of land grabbing and illegal land sales without proper documentation have also emerged as major issues.
The NLC delegation overseeing the hearings comprises Vice Chairperson Gertrude Nguku and Commissioners Prof. James Tuitoek and Tiyah Galgalo.
The commission’s Historical Land Injustices Secretariat is led by Edmond Gichuru, who is coordinating the administrative aspects of the exercise.
Before the hearings commenced, the NLC team paid a courtesy visit to Isiolo County Commissioner Geoffrey Omoding.
During the meeting, Commissioner Omoding welcomed the commission’s efforts and pledged full support, including security for the sessions and site visits.
He further committed to forming a county task force dedicated to resolving other land-related disputes outside the scope of HLI, such as those involving land use conflicts and ownership inconsistencies.
Speaking at the County Commissioner’s office, NLC Vice Chair Gertrude Nguku underscored the importance of addressing both historical and ongoing land injustices.
She emphasized that unresolved land grievances continue to fuel tension and hinder development in affected communities, making the commission’s work critical to promoting justice and social cohesion.
Following the day’s hearings, the NLC team visited the Kenya Defense Forces’ School of Military Engineering in Isiolo, one of the sites under dispute.
The visit was part of a broader fact-finding mission to assess the status of contested lands and gather first-hand information necessary for informed decision-making.
The commission is expected to compile its findings and make recommendations on appropriate remedies, which may include restitution, compensation, or policy reforms.
These efforts are part of a wider national agenda aimed at healing historical wounds, restoring land rights, and fostering equitable development across all regions of Kenya.
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