MPs Demand Urgent National Land Use Policy to Protect Farmland and Ensure Food Security
Members of Parliament have intensified calls for a comprehensive national land use policy to protect agricultural land, citing the alarming rate at which uncontrolled subdivisions for housing and commercial projects are threatening the country's food security. The legislators expressed deep concerns over the diminishing agricultural land, attributing the decline to unplanned settlements encroaching on fertile farmland.
Westlands MP Tim Wanyonyi tabled a motion in Parliament, drawing attention to the significant drop in agricultural productivity caused by the continuous fragmentation of rural land for construction purposes. He emphasized the urgent need for measures to optimize land use across the country to boost agricultural output. The proposed policy would designate specific areas exclusively for agricultural use, shielding them from commercial or residential developments.
The motion urges the government, through the Ministry of Lands, to develop a policy framework that consolidates and zones land for built development, including commercial and residential areas with shared public utilities, while reserving separate zones for agriculture. This approach aims to halt the erosion of farmland and stabilize the nation's agricultural productivity. Wanyonyi highlighted the uprooting of coffee trees in traditional farming areas to make way for housing as a stark example of actions undermining food production.
The absence of clear land use guidelines has often sparked conflicts and violence, Wanyonyi noted, stressing that the proposed policy seeks to prevent such disputes between agricultural and built environments. He advocated for a balanced approach that promotes economic development, agricultural productivity, and environmental sustainability, with a focus on protecting natural resources and minimizing environmental degradation. The policy aims to safeguard farmland, enhance productivity, and ensure national food security while guaranteeing sustainable access to public spaces, services, institutions, and social amenities for all citizens.
The motion calls for collaboration among key ministries, including Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development, Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, and Agriculture and Livestock Development. Wanyonyi underscored the importance of engaging stakeholders such as farmers, developers, and local communities to ensure the policy reflects their needs. The policy's enactment would prioritize environmental considerations, such as conserving natural habitats and water catchment areas, and ensure public participation to incorporate the voices of farmers and affected communities.
Kilgoris MP Julius Sunkuli seconded the motion, urging the government to enforce regulations and strategies to preserve fertile land for farming. He warned that fertile land is increasingly being converted into housing estates, posing a severe threat to agricultural land if left unaddressed. With a growing population driving rising housing demand, Sunkuli emphasized the critical need for the government to zone land specifically for agriculture to meet these challenges.
Dagoretti South MP John Kiarie also supported the motion, expressing hope that it would pave the way for comprehensive legislation. However, he stressed the importance of the Executive first formulating a robust policy to serve as a foundation for any future laws.
The renewed push for a national land use policy reflects the growing urgency to protect agricultural land and secure the country's food supply amidst rapid urbanization and population growth.