Richard Onyonka for Kisii County Governor Pic/Files

Aspirants of Governor like Kenyan Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs Richard Onyonka, who has stated his intention of running for Kisii County Governor, and County Assembly aspirants will need to make proposals on the land bill as relates to their goals for the county. Based on Permanent Secretary Dorothy Angote words, “There is no other standard against which we can weigh the legislations apart from the Constitution,” the aspirants for the 47 Governor seats and county assembly seats will have to see that the land bill takes into account the provisions made in the constitution as relates to land and county. Below some constitution clauses that should be considered by those who will be running for Governor or County Assembly seats and summary of approximate land acreage and people in county.

Constitution Articles and Clauses on Land and County

Land Survey and Mapping
The functions and powers of the county are— 8. County planning and development, including— (a) statistics; (b) land survey and mapping; (c) boundaries and fencing; (d) housing; and (e) electricity and gas reticulation and energy regulation.

Land Registration
174. The objects of the devolution of government are— (c) to give powers of self-governance to the people and enhance the participation of the people in the exercise of the powers of the State and in making decisions affecting them; (d) to recognise the right of communities to manage their own affairs and to further their development;

Land Usage
185. (1) The legislative authority of a county is vested in, and exercised by, its county assembly. (2) A county assembly may make any laws that are necessary for, or incidental to, the effective performance of the functions and exercise of the powers of the county government under the Fourth Schedule. (4) A county assembly may receive and approve plans and policies for— (a) the management and exploitation of the county’s resources; and (b) the development and management of its infrastructure and institutions.

Land Boundaries
188. (1) The boundaries of a county may be altered only by a resolution–– (a) recommended by an independent commission set up for that purpose by Parliament; and (b) passed by–– (i) the National Assembly, with the support of at least two thirds of all of the members of the Assembly; and (ii) the Senate, with the support of at least two-thirds of all of the county delegations. (2) The boundaries of a county may be altered to take into account—  (a) population density and demographic trends; (b) physical and human infrastructure; (c) historical and cultural ties; (d) the cost of administration; (e) the views of the communities affected; (f) the objects of devolution of government; and (g) geographical features.

County Land Laws Compliance 
195. (1) A county assembly or any of its committees has power to summon any person to appear before it for the purpose of giving evidence or providing information. (2) For the purposes of clause (1), an assembly has the same powers as the High Court to— (a) enforce the attendance of witnesses and examining them on oath, affirmation or otherwise; (b) compel the production of documents; and (c) issue a commission or request to examine witnesses abroad.

Land and Property valuation and taxation
209. (3) A county may impose— (a) property rates;

Summary of County Natural Resource (Land & People)

1. Baringo County     8,646 sq km    2,150,000 acres     560,000 people
2. Bomet County       1,882 sq km       470,000 acres     725,000 people
3. Bugoma County    2,069 sq km       500,000 acres  1,630,000 people
4. Busia County         1,135 sq km       284,000 acres     500,000 people
5. Elgeyo Marakwet  3,029 sq km       750,000 acres    370,000 people
6. Embu County         2,818 sq km        700,000 acres     520,000 people
7. Garissa County    44,175 sq km  11,300,000 acres     630,000 people
8. Homa Bay Cty        3,183 sq km      796,000 acres     970,000 people
9. Isiolo County        25,605 sq km   6,400,000 acres     150,000 people
10. Kajiando County  21,901 sq km   5,400,000 acres     690,000 people
11. Kakamega Cty       1,395 sq km      350,000 acres  1,700,000 people
12. Kericho County      2,479 sq km      620,000 acres     760,000 people
13. Kiambu County      2,243 sq km       560,000 acres  1,630,000 people
14. Kilifi County          12,610 sq km   3,150,000 acres  1,110,000 people
15. Kirinyaga County   1,479 sq km       370,000 acres     530,000 people
16. Kisii County            1,318 sq km       330,000 acres   1,160,000 people
17. Kisumu County       2,086 sq km      521,000 acres      970,000 people
18. Kitui County          20,402 sq km   5,100,000 acres  1,100,000 people
19. Kwale County         8,270 sq km   2,050,000 acres      650,000 people
20. Laikipia County      9,462 sq km   2,360,000 acres      400,000 people
21. Lamu County          6,273 sq km   1,560,000 acres     105,000 people
22. Machakos County  6,282 sq km  1,570,000 acres   1,110,000 people
23. Makueni County     8,008 sq km   2,000,000 acres     890,000 people
24. Mandera County  25,992 sq km   6,500,000 acres  1,050,000 people
25. Marsabit County  70 962 sq km 17,700,000 acres     300,000 people
26. Meru County           6,936 sq km    1,700,000 acres 1,400,000 people
27. Migori County         2,596 sq km        650,000 acres 1,000,000 people
28. Mombasa County      219 sq km          55,000 acres    950,000 people
29. Muranga County    2,559 sq km      640,000 acres 1,000,000 people
30. Nairobi County          696 sq km        175,000 acres 3,200,000 people
31. Nakuru County       7,495 sq km    1,900,000 acres  1,610,000 people
32. Nandi County         2,885 sq km        720,000 acres     760,000 people
33. Narok County       17,944 sq km    4,500,000 acres     850,000 people
34. Nyamira County        900 sq km      225,000 acres     600,000 people
35. Nyandarua County 3,245 sq km     800,000 acres     600,000 people
36. Nyeri County           3,337 sq km      834,000 acres    700,000 people
37. Samburu County   21,022 sq km  5,300,000 acres     230,000 people
38. Siaya County           2,530 sq km     630,000 acres     850,000 people
39. Taita Taveta          17,000 sq km   4,300,000 acres     300,000 people
40. Tana River Cty      38,436 sq km   9,600,000 acres     250,000 people
41. Tharaka Nithi           2,638 sq km     660,000 acres     370, 000 people
42. Trans Nzoia              2,495 sq km     625,000 acres     820,000 people
43. Turkana County    68,680 sq km 17,200,000 acres     860,000 people
44. Uasin Gishu             3,218 sq km      800,000 acres     900,000 people
45. Vihiga County            530 sq km      135,000 acres     560,000 people
46. Wajir County         56,685 sq km 14,100,000 acres     670,000 people
47. West Pokot Cty       9,169 sq km   2,300,000 acres    520,000 people