Historical Land Injustices in Kenya: the Case of Lamu County 1963-2010

Abstract

The focus of this research is historical land injustice in Lamu, and the role of land as a determinant factor in the conflict. The research begins with an analysis of the people of Lamu and how they settled and placed claims over their ancestral lands. This provides a background to the understanding of the conflict and the role of land in it. The study examined the conflict from 1963 to 2010. To understand the conflict, the study was guided by three objectives. The specific objectives include; to examine the nature and types of land conflict in the region, secondly, to determine the causes of land conflicts and finally to evaluate the impacts of the historical land injustices. The study was carried out among the Bajuni and the Swahili who live in Lamu Islands. The study drew attention to the symbolical identity of land to communities of Lamu and how it influenced their socio-economic aspects. The study is based on structural conflict theory. Structural conflict theorists emphasize the competing interests of groups as prime motivations of conflicts. The theory identifies the primary sources of conflict to be in the social, economic and political organization of society. The Theory is relevant to the research because Lamu land conflict is centred on competition for resources. The study revealed several findings when considered in light of its objectives and conceptual framework. The study confirmed the persistence of land tenure insecurity driven by unrecognized customary claims to land. Customary claims to land and forest resources have not been recognized by the government, and there had been no land adjudication. A large section of the population lost their land. Furthermore, the conflict led to displacement of communities in favor of environmental conservation which led to creation of squatters and also the politicization of the land question.