Uasin Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago has asked the National Assembly to amend the Land Act to give counties the mandate to take full charge of land matters.
Mandago’s call comes as the rapid expansion of urban centres pushes settlement into land that was previously reserved for agricultural activities.
Speaking at a function in Soy, the Governor said the national government remained with a bigger say on land ownership through the Lands Act with just some sections being devolved.
“I want to ask the national assembly to amend the Lands Act to allow county governments to have the mandate on issues touching on land management such as subdivision,” said Mandago.
He decried diminishing agricultural lands through subdivision for settlement, suggesting that land reserved for agriculture should be protected to ensure food sustainability.
The Governor said counties were closer to the people and they need to have all the mandates on issues that touch on the public.
“If this mandate is given to us fully, and with my able assembly, we shall introduce a bill to be known as the Agricultural Land which will ensure no farming land is subdivided into plots,” he added.
The country risks losing economically considering that agriculture is the biggest economic activity as well as food security.
By Kiptanui Cherono
