There is an ever increasing change in land use in marginal areas mainly in the arid and semi arid areas. This coupled with the rise in population has had disastrous results on the environment. The activities of the communities can therefore not be sustained as the environment on which they depend is rapidly deteriorating. There is therefore an urgent need to sensitize communities on appropriate methods of land use. In addition land ownership is becoming increasingly less secure in arid and semi-arid areas of Kenya in the face of increasing inclination towards a relatively more settled life. This is particularly, evident in Isiolo and Samburu Districts where communities are moving from pure pastoralism to a relatively more stable settlements. This is especially so in the emerging small urban centres and high potential agricultural areas. The legal tenurial arrangements that are obtained in the country do not, are not in tandem with the culture and economic productive systems of the communities that live in these marginal areas. This paper will rely on information gathered from two primary sources, namely; Training Needs Assessment Survey that took five (5) days and four (4) day Training Seminar on Land Management held in Isiolo town. The two activities were sponsored by Action Aid Kenya. In conducting the field survey, a semi-structured questionnaire was administered to the stakeholders who work in the relevant fields of land administration. It focussed on the main activities of the respondents, functions of their departments, problems and their training needs among others. The four-day workshop on the other hand comprised of field visits, papers presentations and group discussions. The participants were drawn from local authorities and government departments in the two districts. The workshop presentations and discussions were organized into four themes covering areas that had been identified during the field survey namely; Alienation of trust land and its management. Planning regulations and the role of communities. Legislations governing land registration, use, development and its on ranches. The roles of the planner and the local authorities in the management and allocation. In addition there was extensive literature review on issues that have a strong bearing on land management practice particularly in arid and semi-arid areas. The findings from this study are indicative of the directions for future research and increasing need to develop relevant and innovative approaches to land management. It further points towards the need for both legal and institutional reforms.

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