Isiolo County has taken a major step in securing land rights by registering community land in Cherab and Chari wards. Governor Abdi Ibrahim Hassan’s administration is leading this initiative to resolve long-standing disputes and protect grazing areas. The issuance of Certificates of Registration will allow for land surveying. Eventually, this process will lead to Community Land Titles, granting formal ownership to local communities.
For years, Isiolo residents have struggled with land conflicts due to a lack of documentation. Encroachment, illegal land acquisition, and resource-based disputes have been widespread. Although past administrations attempted reforms, bureaucratic delays and political interference slowed progress. Under the current leadership, the process has moved forward, ensuring legal recognition for communities.
In Garbatulla, the county government and the Ministry of Lands have completed land adjudication. Officials have surveyed and documented parcels while securing public utility areas for schools, hospitals, and markets. This process will enable residents to obtain ownership documents. It will also allow them to claim compensation for infrastructural projects like the Horn of Africa Gateway Road, which connects Isiolo to Mandera via Garbatulla and Modogashe.
To improve land governance, the county has partnered with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) under the Digital Land Governance Program. Through this initiative, a Geographic Information System (GIS) laboratory has been set up to digitize land records. This system will enhance transparency, reduce fraud, and speed up land-related transactions.
Additionally, the county is finalizing a spatial plan to regulate land use and support sustainable development. The plan will guide settlement patterns and prevent unplanned developments. It will also create investment opportunities in housing, commercial spaces, and industrial zones. With structured land management, Isiolo is positioning itself as a model for land governance.
Governor Hassan has emphasized that securing land tenure remains a priority. His administration is focused on strengthening land security, expanding development opportunities, and protecting ancestral lands. As reforms progress, residents will benefit from legal protection and economic growth.
