Uasin Gishu Farmers Raise Alarm Over Controversial Carbon Credit Contracts
Among the changes are an extended lease period and a requirement for farmers to submit their title deeds—raising fears of potential land loss.
Over 170 Uasin Gishu farmers protest changes to carbon credit agreements initially signed with Green Planet in 2023. Photo/Tuko.
By Robert Assad
More than 170 farmers from Uasin Gishu County have voiced strong opposition to changes made to their carbon credit agreements, which they initially signed with Green Planet in 2023.
The farmers allege that a new company, Earth Tree, has introduced a revised agreement containing questionable clauses.
Among the changes are an extended lease period and a requirement for farmers to submit their title deeds—raising fears of potential land loss.
Speaking at a press conference in Eldoret, farmer representatives Manaseh Koech and Catherine Jerotich criticized the altered terms.
They explained that the original deal featured a 30-year lease with an option to withdraw within the first five years, provided a seven-month notice was given.
However, the new contract increases the lease period to 45 years and removes the clear exit provisions.
“We are being told to hand over our title deeds, yet we never agreed to these new conditions. Extending the lease without our consent is unacceptable and puts our land ownership at risk,” said Koech.
The farmers also reported being locked out of Earth Tree’s Eldoret offices when they attempted to seek clarity. In response, they have now barred officials from either company from accessing their land until the issue is resolved and transparency is restored.
This controversy highlights growing tensions within Kenya’s expanding carbon credit market. Across the country, community disputes have emerged over unclear agreements, unequal benefit-sharing, and land rights violations. A notable example is the Northern Kenya Rangelands Carbon Project, which was suspended due to concerns over inadequate community involvement and weak land governance.
To address such concerns, the government is currently reviewing the Carbon Credit Trading and Benefit Sharing Bill, 2023. The legislation aims to create a legal framework that ensures fairness, accountability, and proper benefit distribution among all stakeholders, particularly vulnerable rural communities.
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