By Millicent Akinyi
The Department of Lands, Physical Planning, Housing and Urban Development, in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and Pamoja for Transformation Trust, today conducted a public participation forum at Bondo Municipal Hall, bringing together members of the public and key stakeholders to gather views on the proposed Siaya County Draft Land Management Policy.
The forum provided residents and stakeholders with an opportunity to review the draft policy and submit their views and recommendations, which will help shape the final document before its consideration by the County Assembly.
The session was officially opened by the Sub-County Administrator, Mr. Vincent Mito, who welcomed participants and underscored the importance of their active involvement in shaping the policy. He urged members of the public and stakeholders to carefully scrutinize the draft and provide constructive feedback, emphasizing that once the policy is enacted by the County Assembly, making amendments may be difficult.
"When something comes before us, let us do our best because it is something that will remain in history," he said, encouraging participants to seize the opportunity to influence a policy that will guide land management and sustainable development in Siaya County for years to come.
Deputy Director of Physical Planning, Ms. Angela Sewe, explained that the primary objective of the proposed Land Management Policy is to provide a clear and consistent framework for decision-making in land management, ultimately improving service delivery across the county.
She noted that the department had already prepared the draft policy and was now seeking views, comments, and feedback from members of the public and stakeholders to strengthen the document before its finalization.
"We have developed the draft policy, and we are here to receive your comments and recommendations. Your feedback will help us improve the document while also creating awareness on what the County Government is doing to enhance land management and service delivery," she said.
During the forum, Assistant Director of Valuation, Mr. Daniel Madegwa, outlined the key legal and institutional frameworks contained in the proposed policy. He explained that the policy seeks to strengthen land use planning by providing a clear framework for the preparation and implementation of development plans that promote orderly and sustainable development across the county.
He further noted that the policy emphasizes land management and administration, prioritizing proper documentation of land tenure to enhance security of ownership and improve land administration. Mr. Madegwa also highlighted the importance of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) in modern land governance, urging the County to embrace digital technology to improve efficiency and service delivery. In addition, he said the proposed County Land Information Management System (CLIMS) will provide a digital framework for collecting, storing, managing, and sharing land information. He added that the policy also provides a framework for the sustainable exploration, utilization, and management of natural resources.
Contributing to the discussions, Mr.David Oremo, emphasized the need to review the County's Agro-Ecological Zones, noting that changes in environmental conditions and land use patterns require updated planning to optimize land utilization. He also called for increased public sensitization on local physical and land use planning at the village level, adding that although Village Administrative Units were established in 2020, they are yet to be fully operationalized, limiting effective grassroots planning.
Mr. Vincent Otiu, Ward Admin also expressed concern over abandoned and dilapidated mining pits, proposing that the County consider developing a policy framework to guide their rehabilitation and possible conversion into designated waste management or other suitable public use sites where appropriate.
Addressing the participants, Mr. Onyiro Senior Planner urged members of the public to seek professional advice from the Department before undertaking any developments. He emphasized that all physical developments should be properly planned and approved, reminding participants that no development should commence without the necessary approvals from the relevant authorities.
On his part, Mr. Job Agolla encouraged participants to approach public participation objectively and avoid tribal considerations during policy discussions. He further proposed the establishment of Community Resource Centres equipped with GIS technology to improve access to land information and support informed decision-making at the community level.
The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks to all participants for their active contributions and commitment to shaping a comprehensive and inclusive land management policy. The Department reaffirmed its commitment to incorporating stakeholders' views into the final draft before it is submitted to the County Assembly for consideration.