Lodwar: The Turkana county government, in partnership with the National Land Commission (NLC) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), has launched a comprehensive land-use planning and survey initiative to secure public land in Lodwar and Kakuma.
According to Kenya News Agency, Chief Officer for Lands and Physical Planning, Robert Loyelei, emphasized the importance of the exercise in protecting public land from encroachment and land grabbing. Loyelei stated that the process is crucial for safeguarding public resources and ensuring that key facilities such as schools, showgrounds, stadiums, and government housing are properly documented. He added that proper land records would help prevent future disputes and promote orderly urban development.
During his presentation, NLC Coordinator Mark Ewesit outlined the main objectives of the initiative. These include securing public land through structured land-use planning and conducting surveys and demarcations to establish clear boundaries. The initiative also aims at developing and updating a comprehensive public land inventory for Lodwar and Kakuma to support sustainable development.
The joint initiative is designed to ensure equitable land access, prevent the spread of informal settlements, and promote responsible use of government resources. A team of surveyors and planners will be deployed to map and document existing infrastructure, resources, and land boundaries. The collected data will provide a solid foundation for informed decision-making and strategic urban planning.
Loyelei urged land administrators to compile a comprehensive list of all public land parcels to facilitate effective planning and prevent irregular allocations. Among those present at the meeting were senior township officials, land adjudicators, assistant chiefs, county and national surveyors, planners, and representatives from the National Housing Department.