The NRT case ; Isiolo County Community Land Dispute.

This legal brief analyzes the case of Osman & 164 Others v. Northern Rangelands Trust (NRT) & Others, where community members from Isiolo County challenged the establishment of conservancies on unregistered community land. The petitioners argued that the process violated Kenyan constitutional and statutory provisions, particularly due to:

• Lack of public participation in decision-making.
• Disenfranchisement of local communities from ancestral grazing lands.
• Failure to follow legal procedures under the Community Land Act, 2016.
• Unauthorized security operations by conservancy rangers, leading to human rights concerns.

The court ruled in favor of the petitioners, declaring the conservancies unlawfully established and ordering the county government to ensure proper land registration. The case sets a significant legal precedent for community land rights, conservation governance, and public participation in Kenya.

Avoid Similar Legal Disputes – Get the Practical Guide

To help conservancy managers and communities navigate legal compliance and prevent conflicts, we’ve developed a step-by-step practical guide. This guide covers:
✔ Community land registration procedures
✔ Legal requirements for conservancy establishment
✔ Ensuring genuine public participation
✔ Transparent revenue-sharing models
✔ Lawful and regulated security operations