On 29th July 2025, Avocats Sans Frontières (ASF) and the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) released a new report exposing serious and persistent human rights violations linked to the operations of Northern Rangeland Trust (NRT) in Isiolo County, northern Kenya. The report highlights a troubling pattern. While conservation initiatives flourish, the communities whose lands and livelihoods are most affected by their development remain without access to justice.

Community members report facing systemic harassment by security forces, restrictions on land access, and even extrajudicial killings. Human rights defenders and community leaders are increasingly targeted with intimidation and abusive lawsuits, including SLAPPs (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation), for speaking out. Attempts to seek redress—through either judicial or non-judicial channels—are routinely blocked by procedural and practical barriers. The Isiolo Environment and Land Court recently ruled in the Osman & Others case that the establishment of certain conservancies in Isiolo County was unconstitutional emphasizing the need for proper public participation and procedural fairness in establishing conservancies.

Business and Human Rights Resource Centre invited Northern Rangeland Trust (NRT) to respond. Northern Rangeland Trust (NRT) did not respond