The project seeks to understand how the instrumentalization of land has shaped the process of state consolidation, class formation and inter- and intra-ethnic relations. The argument is that the latter processes determine the nature of the state, the constitution of citizenship, and electoral politics in Kenya. And therefore to what extent is state power manifested in its ability to control access to land? This is critical given the fact that land is at the core of Kenya’s political economy and thus mediates the logic of production and the content of politics. Attempts by the elite to gloss over the agrarian dilemma have only served to further animate the land question(s). Moreover the project attempts to trace out the evolving agrarian mutation as a result of the current neo-liberal drive.

Both primary and secondary data collection techniques will be deployed. These will involve the interview of key actors, a study of literature on land and of statistics on land distribution. Who owns what is a prerequisite in developing parameters that would aid in mapping out the positions that political elites take on national issues.

It is geared towards generating research-based knowledge for policy-makers and social group campaigns in order to develop a meaningful land policy in the country. The project started in August and will include field research in selected Districts in three provinces-Coast, Central and Rift Valley.