AUTHOR=Chepkorir Vicky Betty , Kathambi Bessy , Wahome Raphael G. , Odhong Charles 
  
TITLE=A scoping review of national legislative frameworks governing rangelands in Kenya, with implications on community-based rangeland governance
  
JOURNAL=Pastoralism: Research, Policy and Practice
  
VOLUME=Volume 16 - 2026
  
YEAR=2026
  
URL=https://www.frontierspartnerships.org/journals/pastoralism-research-policy-and-practice/articles/10.3389/past.2026.15700
  
DOI=10.3389/past.2026.15700
  
ISSN=2041-7136
  
ABSTRACT=Rangelands in Kenya are significant ecosystems that encounter various challenges including increasing livestock, demand for land and changes to traditional governance systems. Governance plays an important role in environmental management and conservation with the implementation of policies at both national and county levels in Kenya, influencing the governance structures used in rangeland management. This review aimed at analyzing current policy, institutional and regulatory frameworks governing rangelands at the national level in Kenya, and provides a summary thereof. The review adopted PRISMA guidelines for conducting and reporting systematic reviews utilizing the PRISMA flow chart and the PRISMA reporting checklist. Policies were identified using searches of government online repositories and researchers’ knowledge. The review is organized per rangeland thematic areas and types of rangeland resources, to illustrate relevant legislations, institutions and policies. Findings indicate that rangeland governance in Kenya is fragmented and operates under resource-specific policies and laws clustered in 10 broad aspects/themes of; national planning, land, forests, wildlife, pasture, water, climate change and carbon, crops, livestock, food security and rangeland management, rather than through a comprehensive approach. Additionally, the institutional framework functions at national, county, and community levels, with coordination among entities found to be limited. In total, besides the Constitution of Kenya, the Kenya Vision 2030, and the Executive Order No. 1 of 2023, there are 10 policies, 9 legislations, 14 regulations and strategies and plans, 30 national institutions and 9 community-based institutions, each providing for different aspects of rangeland management. The multiple institutions including the community-based natural resource management institutions function independently, and lack clarity regarding the integration of traditional governance systems. Some policies articulate varied objectives but lack supporting legislation for legal enforceability. The frameworks’ fragmentation, multiplicity and absence of a coordination framework occasions both cooperation and conflict. It undermines the sustainable management of resources, necessitating targeted reforms to enhance integration, incorporation of traditional systems and community engagement to safeguard rangeland resources and livelihoods. The article discusses options for enhancing the sustainability of rangelands through more integrated governance strategies.