---
description: >-
  This Policy provides the principles, the policy environment and the
  institutional framework governing land use in Kenya.
---

# 1. Sessional Paper No. 1 of 2017 on National Land Use Policy

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Quick Link: [https://repository.kippra.or.ke/bitstream/handle/123456789/489/Sessional%20paper%20no%201%20of%202017%20on%20national%20land%20use%20policy.pdf?sequence=1\&isAllowed=y](https://repository.kippra.or.ke/bitstream/handle/123456789/489/Sessional%20paper%20no%201%20of%202017%20on%20national%20land%20use%20policy.pdf?sequence=1\&isAllowed=y)

·         The National Land Use Policy was adopted in October 2017 and seeks to provide for the optimal use of land given that there are many competing and sometimes conflicting land uses.

·         The Policy notes that not much has been achieved in the development of adequate shelter mainly attributable to low levels of income among most of the population, high cost of land, high cost of building materials, shortage of skilled manpower, and inadequate funding in the housing sector. It further states that majority of urban dwellers face challenges in terms of the absence of a secure land tenure system, water and sanitation and poor infrastructure. The challenges of poor planning, a shortfall in the supply of housing, poor integration of provision of infrastructure and services in human settlements, inadequate public participation in and awareness of land use issues and unsustainable use of local construction materials continue to affect human settlements.

·         The Policy provides that there is a need for development that takes into cognizance the provision of basic infrastructure and services given that most urban areas are not adequately provided with infrastructure such as safe water, sanitation, drainage, solid waste disposal services, and transportation infrastructure.

·         There has however been slow-paced implementation of the Policy (potentially because of limited funding) which has hampered optimal and sustainable use of land.

·         NLC created a monitoring and evaluation tool for this National Land Use Policy.
