CALL FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (EoI) FOR CONSULTANCY SERVICES

 

Introduction

The Kenya Land Alliance (KLA) was founded in 1999 and registered in 2000 as a Trust. Later, in 2013 as a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) under the Public Benefit Organizations Act. It operates as an umbrella network of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and individuals committed to effectively advocating for reforms of policies and laws governing land, environment and natural resources in Kenya. Its current membership stands at Forty Two (42) which comprises Non-Governmental Organizations, Community Based Organizations and individuals. KLA executes its mandate mainly through amplifying community voices; strengthening land governance in a bottom up approach; promoting equitable distribution of resources; advocating for knowledge driven interventions and working towards a robust and sustainable KLA.

Background for situational analysis

Kenya Land Alliance acknowledges that poverty is closely related to human rights violations and addressing it requires focus on economic and social rights. The importance of land as a key factor of production is demonstrated in the way it affects economic, social and political development and the context is often defined by historical, cultural and political influences. No doubt, land is recognized as  Kenya’s primary resource and the basis of livelihood for the people,  and should therefore be held, used/developed and managed in a manner which is equitable, efficient, productive and sustainable.

More importantly, the Kenyan economy is primarily dependent on agricultural and pastoral land uses. Apart from providing livelihood for over 75% of the population, agriculture and pastoralism support 70% of all wage employment and contribute over 80% of export earnings. Land scarcity continues to create conflicts among individuals, communities and other entities in the struggle to secure their livelihoods. Additionally, because of its politically sensitive nature, it is deemed to be crucial for political stability, social cohesion, economic development, poverty reduction and good governance.

Kenya’s Coastal region inherited a complex relationship with its land. Since the colonial era, when foreign settlers claimed large swathes of fertile land and territory , there has been a practice of allocating land to outsiders with close ties to the respective ruling regimes. This practice has since led to the displacement of indigenous people from what they consider to be their ancestral land. These historical injustices have not been addressed and continue to cause havoc to this day. As much of the land in Coast region is now owned by a few wealthy individuals, indigenous inhabitants are left vulnerable to land dispossessions, as many reside on land without owning formal certificates of deeds and those residing on community land lack the knowledge on the new developments in the law formalizing community Land tenure. Thus, with most of the land in the target counties being community land, the recognition of indigenous communities’ rights to their ancestral land remains unrecognized. The lack of formalization of the community land as envisioned under Community Land Act 2016 leaves this population extremely exposed to forced evictions majorly as a result of land grabbing, private/government led development projects and the ravages of climate change. Despite the land being largely unregistered, absentee landlords claimed ownership in absentia,  thereby impeding the enjoyment of equal land rights in the region. Notably, there is little which has been done to stop this form of infringement of rights. Target Communities continue to suffer with no means of recompense.

Culturally, despite a progressive legal framework, local women’s land rights continue to lag behind those of men due to the patriarchal nature of the society and some retrogressive customary practices laws which still discriminate against women and limit their land and property rights. These communities have deeply entrenched misogynistic cultural perceptions that look down on the role of women in the community. Thus, in their cultural lens, the sphere of public decision-making rests with the male gender. This is especially so for land, where women are often treated as “outsiders” who cannot be trusted with secrets over family land.

In regards to the economy, Coastal counties of Kenya are richly endowed with exploitable mineral resources that continue to attract investments from citizens directly and indirectly from international investments who add to the fortunes of its mining sector. However, just like other parts of the world, mining has been blamed for harmful and impoverishing effects. Most counties are rich sources of precious stones like gemstones, yet there is very little development, since miners, and those around mining sites, still live in abject poverty.

The mining sector creates a pool of opportunities that can be relied on by the county government for socio-economic development and the creation of wealth. Unfortunately, most of the counties in the coastal region continue to suffer despite  the deep riches found naturally on the land. Over exploitation by brokers and middlemen, environmental degradation, poor returns to locals, displacement by multinationals mining companies, unfavorable community agreements on revenue sharing, lack of markets are few but form part of main challenges ailing the mining sector in the target coastal counties.

It is under this premise that Kenya Land Alliance with the support from the Protestant for Diakonie and Development for Bread for the World seeks to engage a consultant to undertake a situational analysis on the level of participation of women and Youth in the management of Land and Natural Resources as a means of generating income in Taita Taveta, Kwale, Kilifi and Tana River Counties.

Objective of the assignment

The objective of the consultancy is to undertake a situational analysis on the level of participation of women and Youth in the management of Land and Natural Resources as a means of generating income in Taita Taveta, Kwale, Kilifi and Tana River Counties.

Geographical coverage

Cluster 1	Cluster 2
Taita Taveta	Kwale
Tana River	Kilifi

 

Scope of Services

The work therefore involves both desktop research and key interviews on how historical land injustices at the coastal region are directly linked to issues of Land and natural resource management and how they affect livelihood in the coastal region.

At the minimum, the research will address the following questions;

• What are the historical land injustices influencing control and management of land and natural resources by women and youth in the target counties
• What are the legal and regulatory frameworks governing land and natural resources both at national and county level?
• What are the existing policies and programs by both the government and private sector that promote women and youth in land and natural resources management?
• Provide policy recommendations to stakeholders on practical solutions to promote Women and youth participation in Land and Natural Resources at the coastal region

The research questions set by this study will be used to test the following hypothesis:

• Why are women and youth not interested in management of land and natural resources?
• Why is the level of poverty still high in the coastal region despite the available land and natural resources?
• Who is benefiting from the existing natural resources in the coastal region?
• Why do we still have cases of absentee landlords and squatters?
• Why is the national and county government not keen on resolving issues affecting land and natural resources in the coastal region?

Required Qualifications and experience

KLA’s under its Strengthening Land governance pillar intend to engage qualified persons/firms for the assignment and it should have the following experience, personnel expertise and competencies;

• Demonstrate experience in assignments of similar nature, including understanding of the Land and Natural Resources sector, how they operate in terms of policy and regulatory frameworks.
• Possess qualitative and quantitative research skills including data collection and analysis.
• Excellent analytical skills.
• Excellent documentation and writing skills, verified by previous written papers.
• Relevant academic qualifications;
• Ability to work and meet tight project deadlines.
• In-depth understanding of Land and natural resources and interlinks on social and economic rights.

Deliverables

• An inception report that outlines the methodology (tools, respondents and key literature review) to be used, and the support expected of the contracting organizations;
• An analytical report of the “Level of Women and Youth Participation in Management of Land and Natural resources as a means of generating income for improved livelihood at the coastal region” responding the questions referred to above.
• The draft report will be presented in a validation workshop to be organized by KLA prior to publishing.

Duration of Assignment

The Duration of the assignment is expected to take 14 days from the date of commencement.

How to apply.

The consultant is expected to submit the following information:

- A proposed methodology.

- A detailed work plan with Timeframe

- Financial proposal indicating the consultancy fees.

- Detailed profile of the applicant, with previous experience

- At least a copy of a completed similar assignment.

- Profile of the Firm and/or CVs of the Consultants.

Contacts

Any interested consultants (firms and individuals) with relevant experience in conducting similar assignments are invited to submit their expression of Interest/bid by close of business on 11th April, 2023 addressed to [email protected] and copy [email protected] Only finalized bids will be considered and only shortlisted firms will be contacted. In case of any queries or further clarifications please feel free to reach out to Betty Soi on 0731282207.

Please indicate “A situational analysis on the level of participation of women and youth in the management of land and natural resources as a means to generate income for secured livelihood”

Any form of canvassing will lead to automatic disqualification.