Migration and Settlement of Ethnic Communities in Relation to Land Question in Laikipia County, Kenya

Abstract

Laikipia County experienced the land question arising from migration and settlement that stretched over a century. In spite of intervention measures the problem escalated. This study, therefore, sought to establish why migration and settlement of the ethnic communities generated the land question in Laikipia County. The study was hinged on the instrumentalism and articulation of modes of production theories, using the historical research design. The study established that pre-colonial, colonial and post-colonial migrations and settlements of the Pokot, Tugen, Ndorobo, Maasai, Somali, Kisii, Meru, Agikuyu, Europeans and Samburu led to the rise of the land question in Laikipia County. The study recommends that both the Laikipia County assembly and Kenyan national assembly should enact laws that protect pre-colonial, colonial and post-colonial land holding rights. This will fix the land question among the ethnic groups residing in Laikipia County.