Empowering Land Justice in Turkana with Oxfam

Turkana County though resilient, is one of Kenya's most resource-rich but marginalized regions, has been at the center of oil exploration activities over the last decade. While the potential for economic development is significant, the local communities have faced a range of challenges. These include displacement, loss of ancestral lands, and lack of inclusion in decision-making processes.

Photo: © Shalet Mkamzungu

To address these issues, Oxfam Kenya, in partnership with Kenya Land Alliance, implemented several initiatives centered on land justice and FPIC. FPIC is a vital concept ensuring that indigenous peoples and local communities give their consent before any project affecting their land, resources, or rights is approved. It represents a shift towards more equitable, sustainable development practices.

We were tasked with creating a documentary to capture the impact of these initiatives on the ground, focusing on raising awareness of the importance of land rights and ensuring that community voices were heard. The documentary aimed to humanize the legal and policy discussions surrounding land justice by highlighting real stories from Turkana communities affected by land deals and oil exploration.

Lake Turkana / Photo: © Shalet Mkamzungu

1. Collaboration with Local Communities: The production team worked closely with Oxfam, Kenya Land Alliance, and local leaders to ensure that the documentary accurately reflected the experiences and concerns of the Turkana people. Field interviews, community meetings, and firsthand accounts were integral to telling the story of FPIC and land rights struggles in a way that was both informative and compelling.
2. Storytelling for Impact: Our approach was rooted in participatory storytelling, where communities became co-narrators of their journey toward land justice. By featuring community leaders, elders, and women, the documentary showcased diverse voices advocating for their land and resource rights.
3. Ethical Filmmaking: Given the sensitive nature of land rights and the political dynamics in Turkana, we prioritized ethical considerations throughout the production. All interviews and footage were obtained with informed consent, and participants were fully aware of the project's purpose and scope.

1. Collaboration with Local Communities: The production team worked closely with Oxfam, Kenya Land Alliance, and local leaders to ensure that the documentary accurately reflected the experiences and concerns of the Turkana people. Field interviews, community meetings, and firsthand accounts were integral to telling the story of FPIC and land rights struggles in a way that was both informative and compelling.
2. Storytelling for Impact: Our approach was rooted in participatory storytelling, where communities became co-narrators of their journey toward land justice. By featuring community leaders, elders, and women, the documentary showcased diverse voices advocating for their land and resource rights.
3. Ethical Filmmaking: Given the sensitive nature of land rights and the political dynamics in Turkana, we prioritized ethical considerations throughout the production. All interviews and footage were obtained with informed consent, and participants were fully aware of the project's purpose and scope.

Outcomes

Indeed we succeeded in shedding light on the critical issues surrounding land rights and FPIC in Turkana. It has been used as an educational tool by both Oxfam and Kenya Land Alliance to engage policymakers, civil society organizations, and local communities in conversations about the importance of respecting land rights and ensuring FPIC in future development projects.

Key impacts we observed include:

• Awareness: The documentary reached a broad audience, educating stakeholders about the principles of FPIC and the importance of empowering local communities in land-related decisions.
• Policy Influence: The film is being used as part of advocacy efforts to shape policy discussions on land governance and resource management in Kenya.
• Community Empowerment: The communities involved in the documentary felt validated and empowered by the representation of their stories, further strengthening their resolve to fight for their land rights.