Institute for Development Studies, University of Nairobi

The paper examines Land Transactions in Kiambu District from 1956, the beginning of the Land Registration process, to 1971; against a background of classical Land Value Theory hypotheses, namely that the value of land will decline with distance from a central market point - in this case Fairobi and that the volume of transactions will also vary inversely with distance from such a point. Part II examines in greater detail the nature, and process of land transactions, focusing on tenure, and the monetisation of the land transactions process which has resulted in fragmentation of holdings in the District. Other aspects of land processes, such as registration and rural credit are treated briefly. The study suggests the need for more studies of the effect of the Nairobi economy on the peri—urban zone and the 'newer' land processes in the district - namely the movement from the Traditional areas to the new areas of settlement in the formerly scheduled areas.