TARDA PARTICIPARES IN THE KITUI COUNTY LAND VALUE INDEX STAKEHOLDER FORUM

Tana and Athi Rivers Development Authority participated in a high-level Kitui County Land Value Index (LVI) stakeholder engagement forum convened by the Ministry of Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development through the State Department for Lands and Physical Planning. The engagement brought together key decision-makers and practitioners — including the CEC Member for Lands, the County Commissioner, Members of the County Assembly, the Law Society of Kenya, and National Government officers — to deliberate on land values across eight sub-counties as well as to unpack how land valuation frameworks shape investment decisions, infrastructure planning, and sustainable regional development.

Stakeholders raised significant concerns key being the current land values that fall below prevailing market trends, potentially affecting economic planning and local investment. Community representatives also highlighted gaps in value influencers used in the index, noting the need to factor in emerging drivers such as mineral resources and electricity infrastructure — realities shaping land dynamics on the ground.
While the Department of Valuation outlined that the index draws from data collected between 2012 and 2025, county leaders emphasized the urgency of reviewing the framework to reflect current economic and developmental contexts.

The conversation underscored a shared commitment to evidence-based planning that balances policy frameworks with community realities. For TARDA, participation in this forum reinforces the Authority’s role in integrated regional planning and resource-based development. Accurate land valuation is not just a technical exercise — it is a strategic enabler for infrastructure investment, climate-resilient planning, and inclusive economic growth within our river basin regions.