Ultimate Guide to Land Allotment Letters In Kenya

A land allotment letter is a document issued by Ministry of Lands and Physical Planning that grants an individual or entity the right to use a specific piece of land for a particular purpose. The letter is issued to individuals or entities who have applied for land allocation through the relevant government agency.

The letter outlines the terms and conditions of the land allocation, including the size of the land, the purpose for which it can be used, and any restrictions or conditions that apply.

Please note that an allotment letter does not transfer ownership of land. The land allotment letter is not the same as a title deed, which is the only legal document that proves ownership of land in Kenya.

 Here is the process of obtaining a land allotment letter

Application of allotment is made to the Ministry and providing all the necessary documentation, including proof of identity, proof of income, and proof of the purpose for which the land will be used.

The Ministry will then review the application and issue the land allotment letter if the application is approved.

• Identify a piece of land you are interested in purchasing.
• Make an application to the relevant government body in charge of that land depending on the location.

Limitations of a Land Allotment Letter

Despite conferring some rights, a land allotment letter has some drawbacks you should be aware of. These include:

• Risk of double allocation – unscrupulous officials may allot the same land to multiple buyers
• No full ownership until the title deed is issued

• Time-bound – Failure to acquire title within the specified period may lead to revocation
• Limited rights compared to a title deed – For instance, you cannot subdivide or construct permanent structures
• Risk of political interference – Officials may revoke allotment letters illegally

For these reasons, it is advisable not to make huge investments on the land until the title deed is obtained.

5 Simple steps to process a titles from an allotment letter