Urban land policy in Kenya

Abstract

The Thesis constitutes study of urban land and public policy in Kenya. It examines the problems of urban land administration, control and development against the background of urbanization it attempts to explain private and official decisions affecting urban land in terms of a policy-making model that draws heavily on the informal, the irrational and the traditional African values and world-views. There are three parts to the work. In Part I the introductory chapter is followed by a chapter on the Kenyan city and how it is changing under the influence of the emerging indigenous landowner. The next chapter is a critique of policy studies, culminating in the development of policy making model. In Chapter IV urban land policy tactics and routines in current use are briefly discussed within the framework of a typology, where the purpose, statutory authority and practical problems of executing each policy measure are dealt with. The second part of the Thesis consists of four case studies. The case study method has been chosen in the conviction that a handful of in-depth studies will in the long run be more practically useful and intellectually rewarding than masses of quantitative survey data from all over the country. Each of the case studies exemplifies a unique set of problems that needed urgent action by the authorities and drastic

adaptation by the private sector. One case study deals with Land acquisition for an international airport at Mombasa and looks at the attendant problems of finance, budgeting, land valuation, resettlement, public involvement and noise pollution. Another case study examines a unique experiment in land reclamation and environmental improvement by a large cement manufacturing concern; yet another looks at land administration and the land market in a small market town in Ukambani. Then there is the chapter on Mumias which compares official aspirations with private achievements with respect to community planning for a new town to serve the Mumias Sugar Scheme. The material for these case studies was gathered in 1973-74 mainly through field observations, interviews and official sources, The theoretical concepts refined in Part 1and the .empirical findings collected in Part 2are brought together and evaluated in the third and final part of the Thesis, Here we ask who should do what where how and when: Policies are re-examined and changes proposed; policy options are stated. Suggestions are made for further research. The two chapters in this part (Chapters IX and X) compliment each other and contain the main conclusions of the study. masses of quantitative survey data from all over the country. Each of the case studies exemplifies a unique set of problems that needed urgent action by the authorities and drastic iii