"LAND RIGHTS"

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THE STRUGGLE FOR LAND RIGHTS AND LIVELIHOODS IN INDIA, ETHIOPIA, KENYA AND TANZANIA

REPORTED BY PETERGICHIRI

ORGANIZERS: ALLIANCE 2015 LIVELIHOODS WORKSHOP

PARTICIPANTS:

MALE 70

FEMALE 80

TOTAL 150

SPEAKERS:

1.KENNY MATAMPASH- KENYA-NEIHGBOURS INITIATIVE ALLIANCE

2.GIRMA AMENTIE-ETHIOPIA-CHILDREN AID ETHIOPIA

3.FOSIL-TSEGAYE-MULTIPURPOSE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROJECT- ETHIOPIA

4.HANNA ABANTE-WOMEN IN SELF-EMPLOYMENT -ETHIOPIA

5.MR. MAKABURI PHIL- TANZANIA- UNITED PEASANTS OF TANZANIA (UPT)

6.AJOY CHOWDHURI AND JULINA P. CHOWDHONO-INDIA

ISSUES COVERED

In Kenya, the problem of land ownership started with the scramble foe Africa when the white settlers forcibly took away the land from the locals. The pastrolists communities were the most affected with time, even after the country became a republic, lands law continue serving those who have making the poor even poorer. To the Maasai, the land belonged to he cdommunity thus they do not believe in suvdividing it for individual use. The changing economies have really affected reaming about with their livestock as they used to do therefore, they feel marginalized. The neighbors Initiative Alliance is working with other civil societies and NGOs to mobilize their communities on the challenges they are facing. The pastoral communities in Kenya form about 58% of the population and therefore with good strategies they can change laws so that their cases are also addressed. In Ethiopia and Tanzania, land belong to the government and therefoere civil societies have little say on matters to do with land. In Ethiopia the government can give the community based organization but then this land is enough to accommodate the poor and give them a source of livelihood.

form the discussion it is clear that there is need to have the poor and marginalized access to land so that thy can earn a living.

In the four countries, women ad youth do not have the right to own land. Such laws need to be reviewed.

In Tanzania, the president is the custodian of the public land, that means he can make any decision on land without consulting. Such laws need to be changed.

Participants in this forum agreed to network and find lasting solutions to the land issue. this will be done through mobilizing local communities and other stake holders.