Can I own property anywhere in Kenya?
Constitution of Kenya · sources read 2 Oct 2026
Yes. Every person has the right to acquire and own property of any kind in any part of Kenya, alone or with others. No law may take it away arbitrarily or restrict it because of things like ethnic origin, sex or religion; non-citizens can hold land only on leases of up to 99 years.
- Where
- High Court (rights petitions); Environment and Land Court (land disputes)
Steps
- If this right is denied, violated or threatened, you can go to court to enforce it.
- Disputes over the use, occupation of and title to land go to the Environment and Land Court.
- If the State takes property for a public purpose, the law must require prompt payment in full of just compensation and let you go to court.
Watch out
- The protection does not cover property found to have been unlawfully acquired.
- The State may still regulate how land is used, for example for public safety, public health or land use planning.
- Grounds a law may not use to restrict this right include race, sex, marital status, ethnic or social origin, age, disability, religion and language.
Who this covers
- Every person, alone or together with others.
- Non-citizens can hold land, but only on leasehold of up to 99 years.
Official sources (1)
- Constitution of Kenya, 2010 new.kenyalaw.org · read 2 Oct 2026