Implementing land reform policies in Eastern African countries: the case study of Kenya

Purpose – This paper was written after the drafting of the National Land Policy was completed. The purpose of the paper is to give suggestions on the implementation of the policy. The National Land Policy reform process began in 2002 and is made up of several thematic areas. Under each category, identification of the major constraints is outlined in the paper together with possible gaps in the existing framework and a way forward is suggested to overcome them. One of the underlying gaps in all the thematic areas is the lack of adequate and competent capacity to undertake the necessary reforms to achieve the envisaged tangible changes in the land reform process in the country. Design/methodology/approach – This paper describes a comprehensive outline of the training needs and capacity building in land management required at both tertiary and university levels. It includes continuing professional development and practice of various cadres of personnel in both the public and private sector. The paper concludes by highlighting the need to undertake measures to align the various basic training, specialisations and skill‐enhancement curricula and syllabi in land management and administration disciplines at both the tertiary and university level. Findings – The paper is developed from review of literature as part of research methodology and there are no empirical findings presented in the contents. The paper identifies that there is lack of adequate and competent capacity to undertake the necessary reforms is suggested by the National Land Policy. The paper highlights the measures that can be undertaken to align the various basic training applications to be able to implement the policy. Originality/value – The paper is a source of information for the working group charged with creating institutions and preparing a training syllabi for those who are employed by the new institutions.