The famous term “Beacon” explained.

In Kenya, the term “beacon” is commonly employed to describe a mark on the ground that serves as a sign of a shift in the boundary’s direction. This is known as a monument or peg in other regions. Land surveyors in Kenya utilize beacons to demarcate the boundaries between different categories of land, whether public, communal, or privately owned.

It is customary for surveyors to erect beacons, and their appearance may differ based on the installer. Numerous beacons are designed as concrete slabs placed on the ground, with plot numbers etched on them. Others may take the form of large concrete posts, making them more noticeable to survey teams or property owners. Due to their bulk, they are frequently furnished with metal pins. Regrettably, this makes them a target for scrap metal thieves, resulting in frequent vandalism. As a result, a recent trend has arisen in which PVC pipes are filled with concrete to form beacons that are less vulnerable to theft.

Before installing beacons on a property, surveyors use their equipment to authenticate the true boundaries, ensuring that what is on the ground corresponds to the deed plan. Once the beacons are situated, property owners bear the responsibility of maintaining them. It is important to frequently trim around the beacons to prevent overgrowth of bushes and grass, especially if the property is not inhabited full-time. Additionally, it is essential to make the beacons easily recognizable to discourage squatters from occupying the land. By doing so, property owners can demonstrate that the land has an active owner who is paying attention to the activities on and around it.

In the past, specific kinds of trees and bushes were planted to designate boundaries, and this practice persists in some communities. Nowadays, people frequently prefer to use concrete walls, wire, or electric fences to fence their properties. However, the expense can be prohibitive for larger plots or those in certain locations. When fencing is not viable, planting trees along the boundary between the beacons can be an inexpensive and straightforward way to further define the boundaries.