The Land Transfer Programs in Kenya After Independence
The Million Acre Scheme One of the steps that the colonial government took before Kenya gained independence was a land transfer program to Africans. The most popular program was called The Million Acre Scheme. It was designed to transfer ownership of European-owned farms to individuals who wanted to leave or couldn't stay after independence. The scheme included small- to medium-size holdings covering a total of 1.15 million acres. The British government provided loans to help these individuals buy out the departing settlers. The transfers were based on a willing-seller/willing-buyer principle, and the loans were given to those who could repay or had the financial means to pay in cash. Special Plot In early 1964, President Kenyatta ordered that colonial farmhouse and 100 acres of land surrounding them be reserved for "prominent people" in the settlement schemes. This was called the "Z plots" or “Kapchumba” in Kalenjin. The British government was not aware of th...