An Application for Recognition and Adjudication of Claim on Community Land (Form CLA 8) is an official legal form used in Kenya to formalize claims over community land rights. This jurisdiction-specific document falls under the Ministry of Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development and is governed by Rule 12(6) of the Land Adjudication Regulations in Kenya. It is a critical instrument for establishing and documenting community land ownership and usage rights within Kenya's land administration framework.
This form is designed for residents, community members, community representatives, local leaders, indigenous groups, and their legal advocates who need to assert collective rights over parcels of community land. It is particularly relevant for communities seeking formal recognition of ancestral lands, grazing areas, water points, sacred sites, forests, or any other land traditionally used or occupied by a defined community group. The application must be submitted to the designated Adjudication Team responsible for the specific locality or county where the land is situated.
The form requires applicants to provide comprehensive details including names, PIN numbers, postal or email addresses, telephone contacts, residential information, and the county of location. Crucially, applicants must attach sketch diagrams, maps, or plans clearly showing the boundaries and extent of the community land being claimed. The current use of the land must also be specified, whether for grazing, cultivation, settlement, cultural purposes, or other community activities.
This application initiates the formal adjudication process through which the government recognizes, demarcates, and registers community land rights. It ensures communities can protect their collective land interests, prevent illegal encroachment, participate in land governance, and access legal remedies under the Community Land Act, 2016. Proper completion and submission of Form CLA 8 is essential for securing community land tenure in Kenya's evolving land rights framework.