Samburu Community Set to Reclaim Ancestral Land After 35 Years of Struggle
Lodokejek, Samburu County - In a landmark development that promises to heal long-standing wounds, the Samburu community stands on the brink of regaining legal control over 2,764 hectares of their ancestral land, bringing an end to a bitter dispute that has dragged on for more than 35 years.
The contested parcel, identified as Samburu/Lodokejek/15 and once designated as Kelele Holding Ground by the former Samburu County Council, has been a flashpoint of contention since the 1980s. Generations of Samburu pastoralists have occupied and depended on this land for their livelihoods, yet repeated efforts to secure formal ownership through government channels fell short, leaving families in limbo without official titles or recognition of their historical claims.
The breakthrough comes courtesy of the National Land Commission (NLC), which has now launched the formal process to return the land to its rightful custodians. This action stems from a key recommendation forwarded to the Ministry of Lands, designating the area exclusively for settlement by the Samburu pastoralist community. The move not only validates the residents' longstanding presence but also paves the way for structured land use that could transform the region's future.
Historical documents reveal a pattern of unfulfilled promises dating back decades. As early as January 1983, the Samburu County Council passed a resolution to restore the land to local families, acknowledging their deep-rooted ties to the territory. This was followed by a formal petition in 1995 to the Commissioner of Lands, seeking demarcation and subdivision of the holdings. While approval was granted, bureaucratic hurdles and inaction ensured that the decision gathered dust, prolonging the uncertainty and fueling intermittent conflicts.
In a recent directive to the Samburu County government, the NLC underscored the path forward with clear guidelines. Upon completion of planning and survey work, the land within the settlement scheme will be allocated to individual households, guided by national values and principles of governance. This equitable approach aims to ensure fair distribution and prevent future encroachments.
A thorough validation exercise conducted by the commission painted a vivid picture of the land's current role in community life. Though officially earmarked as a livestock marketing holding ground, the area has long served practical needs far beyond grazing. Residents have built homes, cultivated crops, and even established schools on the terrain, turning it into a vibrant hub despite the lack of legal safeguards. The NLC's findings highlight how this informal occupation has sustained families through challenging times, including periods of severe insecurity plaguing the region.
Authorities view the impending handover as a powerful antidote to these vulnerabilities. By granting formal land rights, the initiative seeks to dismantle the roots of disputes that have simmered for years, fostering a stable governance framework for resource management. Community leaders and elders express cautious optimism, seeing this as a rare victory that could usher in an era of peace and prosperity. "This land is more than soil to us," one local pastoralist shared. "It is our history, our sustenance, and our legacy for the children."
The resolution arrives at a pivotal moment, coinciding with parallel government efforts to bolster security in Samburu East. In a related development, plans are underway to acquire 2,185 acres in the Losesia area for the construction of a dedicated security camp and training facility. While specifics on the acquisition process, funding, and timelines remain under wraps, the NLC has extended an open invitation to stakeholders, urging them to reach out for consultations and clarification.
This dual-track strategy reflects a broader commitment to balancing community empowerment with strategic infrastructure needs, ensuring that progress in one area supports stability in the other. For the Samburu people, who have weathered decades of displacement threats and administrative neglect, the return of Lodokejek/15 represents profound vindication. It offers not just deeds and boundaries, but the assurance of a rooted future, where ancestral heritage can flourish alongside modern development.
As survey teams prepare to map the land and allocation committees form, excitement builds among the affected households. This chapter's close could well rewrite the narrative of Samburu's resilient spirit, proving that persistence, in the face of prolonged adversity, can indeed reclaim what was always rightfully theirs