Kenya Moves To Reserve Over 10K Acres of Land for New Military Camps
According to gazette notices dated January 16, 2026, the National Land Commission has officially reserved nearly 10,000 acres of property for military use in Garissa and Tana River counties.
The Ministry of Defence has been given possession of two parcels: 9900 acres in Garissa County, designated as a military camp and training area, and 304 acres in Tana River County for a military camp.
The land parcels, identified as L.R. No. 33024 in Garissa and L.R. No. 33516 in Tana River, were formally reserved using powers granted by the Land Act.
On August 7, 2025, National Land Commission Chairman Gershom Otachi signed the reservation orders, which were then published in Gazette Notice Nos. 473 for Tana River and 474 for Garissa.
The reserve orders include 19 special requirements that the Ministry of Defence must follow while managing these parcels.
Among these is the demand for controlled and regulated access to essential places for community livelihoods such as pasture, salt licks, and livestock watering stations.
The orders also directed the military to grant access to wildlife movement corridors in order to reduce the risk of human-wildlife conflict.
According to constitutional requirements, the Ministry of Defence must ensure that at least 10% of the area is covered with trees and flowers.
The ministry is required to prepare and submit environmental and social impact assessment reports before any major land development projects, in line with the Environmental Management and Coordination Act, 1999.
Within 180 days of publishing the reservation order, the ministry had to prepare and submit a land use and management plan to the National Land Commission.
The Ministry of Defence was also required to ensure periodic monitoring of critical and sensitive natural assets within the reserved parcels and submit annual reports.
The ministry must also protect vital natural assets, including water sources, forests, and wildlife concentration and breeding areas.
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The reservation orders further required the military to promote local content and engage communities during land development to create jobs and income.
@NLC_Kenya team, led by the Chief Executive Officer, @Kabale_arero, accompanied by Director, Taxation & Valuation, Joel Ombati, and Deputy Director, Finance & Accounts, Daniel Mwakio, engaged in a high level stakeholders meeting concerning Mwache Multi-Purpose Dam Project. pic.twitter.com/cfAuiVkeKi
— National Land Commission (@NLC_Kenya) January 16, 2026
While ensuring compliance with guidelines on rehabilitation of quarries and waste disposal sites and promoting refuse recycling, reuse, and composting.
Another condition required the military to create inclusive governance for conflict transformation and peacebuilding on identified disputes, which included community leaders, women, and youth.
The instructions also require the ministry to help the National Land Commission identify and map ecologically vulnerable regions.
Kenya Moves To Reserve Over 10K Acres of Land for New Military Camps
