It is the woman who tills the land and must have a say over it. Denying them the chance to own land is cruel," said Prof Nyawalo.
Former District Lands Registrar, Kwanya Adongo, stoked more controversy when he suggested that besides bequeathing their daughters family land, fathers should also allow their daughters to construct traditional huts known as simba among the Luo.
"Women who do not wish to be married should be allowed to build their huts at their parentsÂf homesteads just like men.
There is nothing wrong with this. We must respect the Constitution," he said.
Retired chief, Mathews Odande, however said the new Constitution was interfering with cultural beliefs.
"The new Constitution unfairly favours women. They are now demanding land from their parents yet they will also be entitled to their husbandÂfs property. This is double allocation," Mr Odande said.
He added: "In many societies, men will not allow the implementation of the Constitution, especially those touching on women and land ownership."
Cultural hardliners
A lawyer and political activist, James Atandi, says it was likely cultural hardliners would slow the implementation of the new land laws and calls for civic education to change the peopleÂfs perceptions on women and property ownership.
"The law is good but it is important to establish if the society is ready to embrace it. It is likely to fuel gender violence unless we sensitive communities," says Atandi.
Mr Atandi says womenÂfs rights to own, inherit, manage and dispose of property have been under attack from independence because of cultures and bad laws.
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