Land Reform in Kenya and South Africa: it’s impacts on community and conservation with relation to sustainable development

Abstract

This dissertation discusses the issues of privatizing traditionally communal land in Kenya
and South Africa, it’s impacts on the communities which live in these areas and it’s
impacts on conservation efforts in the area. The study discusses these issues in relation to
sustainable development of rural populations. The study focuses on the Maasai
community in Kajiado district of South East Kenya and selected examples from across
South Africa. The research concludes that privatizing communal lands has mainly a
negative impact on communities and wildlife. While bringing some benefits it is clear
that the aims of land reform initiatives cannot be met purely by changing land tenure. The
study provides an alternative to privatizing, whereby communal land is kept in and
around conservation areas and small plots of land are available if an individual wishes to
own land. It also suggests an integration of humans and wildlife in many areas in order to
reduce many of the problems that land reform creates.