The socio-economic implications of land registration in Tongaren division, Bungoma district

Abstract

This study examined the socio-economic consequences of land registration In Tongaren Division, Bungoma District. It was designed to assess how land registration has impacted on food security, income, gender parity in the ownership of land and, on kinship ties and social relations. The study was hinged on the premise that land tenure reform program in Tongaren division has not lived up to its promises. It was justified to carry out this study on the grounds that land is the matrix of life of many people in this division; about 80%'of whom depend on it directly for a livelihood. Therefore, any policy that affects land tenure represents fundamental changes for a considerable portion of the population in this area. In addition, land issues have become very sensitive political matters. making it prudent to have an objective examination of the land tenure reform program and gauge its results in almost over four decades since its inception. By means of random survey, key informants. observation and life histories. both qualitative and quantitative data were collected. These were then subjected to descriptive analysis using such analytical techniques as simple frequencies. percentages. means, and modes. To help in explaining the performance of land registration. the theory of political economy was applied. The theory informed this study's contention that although land tenure in the whole of Kenya was couched in economic rhetoric, it was inherently political. The reform has not affected all people equally because of the skewed power relations which has shaped and legitimized economic relations. It is because of these skewed power relations that some people have managed to have access to more productive resources such as land. capital and labour at the expense of others. They are also the privileged few who enjoy food security and high incomes. Similarly, it is generally because of the skewed gender power relations that land ownership in Tongaren Division has tended to be the preserve of men. Generally. the results showed that land registration has failed to bolster food security and income levels in Tongaren Division. It has. also. led to a decline in the otherwise close-knit kinship ties and social relations. as well as exacerbating the problem of gender disparity in the ownership of land. This study, therefore, recommended that since capital is vital for agricultural development in Tongaren Division, credit should be made available to farmers under conditions that are not deterrent. This is to say that a title deed should be a sufficient condition since it is the only form of security that most farmers in this division have. In addition, the government should consider waiving the S. F. T loan arrears and ensure that all farmers are granted tittle deeds. It was further recommended that measures should be put in place to ensure a smooth operation of the land market to curb illegal dealings in land. Finally, joint ownership of land between a man and his wife should be made as a policy to assure women of security of tenure.