Faculty of Law Receives Equipment Donation from FAO

The University of Nairobi Faculty of Law witnessed an important development on August 11, 2025 when the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) officially transferred essential digital equipment to advance the groundbreaking "Fostering Thought Leadership and Evidence-Led Research for Sustainable Land Governance in Kenya" project. This milestone reflects the growing collaboration between international organizations and Kenyan academic institutions in tackling pressing land governance challenges.

The equipment handover forms part of the broader EU-FAO Digital Land Governance Programme, a comprehensive five-year initiative co-financed by the European Union in Kenya. This programme operates in partnership with key government institutions, including the Ministry of Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development, the National Land Commission, and the Council of Governors-Kenya. The initiative aims to enhance food and nutrition security, improve livelihoods, and promote sustainable development through equitable and secure land access and management, aligning with Kenya's Vision 2030 objectives.

Professor Collins Odote, Associate Dean and Project Leader, positioned this partnership within the university's strategic commitment to evidence-based networks that inform policy and drive sustainable land management practices across Kenya and beyond. The project encompasses multiple dimensions, including, establishing a land governance pipeline, developing strategic research collaborations with international institutions like the University of Waterloo, and building partnerships with governments such as Côte d'Ivoire, while strengthening capacity through the African Humanities Study Centre.

The donated equipment comprises three laptops, a digital learning screen, digital projector, public address system, and camera, transforming both pedagogical approaches and research capabilities within the faculty. These tools will revolutionize how students and faculty engage with complex land governance issues while ensuring their work meets contemporary technological standards.

Husna Mbarak, FAO Land Programme Manager, emphasized the transformational scope of this collaboration, describing it as far more than a simple equipment donation. The partnership creates pathways for university research to influence practical policy implementation, addressing a critical gap where valuable academic work often remained isolated from policy processes. This initiative ensures that scholarly insights reach decision-makers and communities who can benefit from evidence-based approaches to land governance.

The programme has already demonstrated substantial impact through monthly critical discussions addressing everything from housing implications to violence prevention in land-related conflicts. The faculty simultaneously develops a five-year curriculum enhancement plan to ensure undergraduate and postgraduate programmes remain responsive to emerging challenges in land governance.

Dr. Nyabenyi Tipo, FAO Country Representative, placed the initiative within the context of global technological advancement, noting that these systems enable the university to align with international progress and innovation trends. The equipment enhances research capabilities across various domains, from demographic studies to laboratory work, representing a crucial step for national development.

Professor Jackson Maalu, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Finance, Planning and Development, representing the Vice-Chancellor, described the donation as an investment in ideas, human capital, and societal transformation. Land remains one of Kenya's most valuable assets, underpinning economic stability, cultural heritage, and social cohesion, yet it presents persistent challenges related to ownership, utilization, dispute resolution, and access.

Dean Winifred Kamau highlighted the partnership's already substantial achievements, including three brown-bag symposia, a joint conference with the Law Society of Kenya, a research fair, and a public lecture honoring Professor Okoth-Ogendo. The faculty has established a dedicated think tank focused on strengthening research, policymaking, and policy direction in land administration, land use planning, and conflict resolution.

The project's success stems from its inclusive approach, engaging diverse stakeholders including students, faculty, partner universities, government agencies, NGOs, civil society organizations, and private sector entities. This multi-stakeholder framework ensures research findings reflect varied perspectives and can be effectively implemented across different sectors.

The collaboration positions the Faculty of Law as a leading voice in land governance discourse while equipping future legal scholars and practitioners to tackle emerging challenges in land management, environmental sustainability, and social justice. As Kenya continues addressing complex land-related issues affecting food security, economic development, and social stability, this partnership provides a foundation for generating innovative solutions.

The success of this partnership demonstrates how international collaboration can drive sustainable development by bridging the gap between research and policy implementation. The programme ensures valuable academic insights reach communities and decision-makers who can benefit from evidence-based land governance approaches, creating a sustainable movement that will continue beyond the programme period and contribute to regional and global discussions on sustainable land management.