Introduction
Laikipia County, located in the former Rift valley province, spans approximately 9,462 square kilometers and has a population of around 518,560 people, based on the 2019 census. The geography of Laikipia is diverse, featuring highlands such as the Aberdare Ranges and Mount Kenya, as well as lowland areas suitable for pastoralism and wildlife conservation. Laikipia County is home to 13 former group ranches, which collectively represent approximately 10% of the County's total land area cutting across 2 wards.
Group ranches were introduced by the colonial government as a means of controlling grazing, since wanton grazing had been blamed for land degradation (Kenya, Protectorate 1956). They were also presented as a compromise between conflicting communal ownership and private ownership interests. During this period, the Swynnerton plan had come up with the Arid Land Development (ALDEV) programme, with funds allocated to arid and semi-arid areas to initiate and enforce rotational grazing. Consequently, according to Matui et al. (2006:2007), the colonial government sought to bring meaningful development among the communities whose livelihood depended solely on pastoralism.
The Land (Group Representative) Act was first applied in the Maasai districts (Kajiado and Narok). Group ranches were then established in other ecologically similar areas in Rift Valley and Coast Province. According to Galaty (1994), the concept was a hybrid of Maasai customary land tenure and private land tenure. It involved setting aside a piece of land that was recorded and registered as a “Ranch” that was legally owned by a group of people (Rutten, 1992). The system offered them security of tenure and protected their land from loss to other tribes (GoK, 1996). According to Kameri Mbote (2013), group ranches gave a window through which group or community ownership could be exercised in Kenya.
The transition from group ranches to community land has been a significant shift in land tenure, aimed at providing stronger protection and security for local communities. This change is grounded in the legal recognition of community land in the 2010 Constitution, which acknowledges collective land ownership and offers legal mechanisms for its protection. The shift empowers communities by giving them greater control over land use and management decisions, fostering sustainable practices, and promoting environmental conservation. It also enhances social cohesion by encouraging collaboration and unity within the community.
The legal framework for this transition is primarily shaped by the Community Land Act, which guides the process of land registration, governance, and dispute resolution. This framework ensures that land remains in the hands of the community and provides protection from external exploitation or commercial encroachment. Community land management committees are established to oversee land use and ensure that decisions align with the community's interests. This collective governance system helps to resolve conflicts amicably, promoting long-term stability and growth.
However, challenges persist in balancing traditional customs with modern legal structures, and some individuals may resist relinquishing personal land claims. Despite these hurdles, the transition is designed to offer greater land security, environmental sustainability, and empowerment, ultimately benefiting the community as a whole.
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