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The Minimum and Maximum Land Holding Acreages Bill, 2015 has been published for review and passing by Parliament/FILE

Kenya

Govt to regulate private land ownership

The Minimum and Maximum Land Holding Acreages Bill, 2015 has been published for review and passing by Parliament/FILE

The Minimum and Maximum Land Holding Acreages Bill, 2015 has been published for review and passing by Parliament/FILE

NAIROBI, Kenya, Jun 26 – The Kenyan government is set to regulate how much private land you can own if the Minimum and Maximum Land Holding Acreages Bill, 2015 will be passed into law by Parliament.

The Minimum and Maximum Land Holding Acreages Bill, 2015 has been published for review and passing by Parliament.

The objective of the Act in respect to private land is to reduce inequality and promote equitable distribution of land as well as regulate subdivision of land to ensure it is held in economically viable parcels.

The Bill also seeks reorganization of rural settlements, sustainable utilization of private land and promotion of national security and economic stability.

In the Bill, Land and Housing Cabinet Secretary is required to commission a scientific study to determine economic viability of minimum and maximum acreages in respect to private land for various land zones in the country.

This will be done at intervals of not less than eight years, and not more than twelve years.

Land holding larger than the maximum can be approved for purposes such as: Large scale farming; wildlife and nature conservancies; cattle ranges in arid areas; forestry; educational, religious and charitable trusts; major investment concerns or other land use with significant economic or social value.

The Cabinet Secretary shall also issue guidelines with respect to land holdings between married couples and family members, non-citizens, regulation of land use for different purposes by one person and any other matter relating to land holding.

In addition, a requirement to have at least 10 percent of private land under tree cover will be introduced; area specific guidelines on best land uses, livestock stocking numbers and land carrying capacity.

Fencing of private land within a declared animal migratory path will be prohibited.

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The National or County Government may acquire surplus land to redistribute to landless people capable of putting it to economic use.

Pending transactions shall continue in accordance to laws applicable.

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