This study seeks to examine the law and practice of private land use restrictions in Kenya to assess their usefulness for achieving biodiversity conservation outcomes. In the process, a number of questions are explored, including: the legal bases (authorities) for governmental powers to restrict private land use, justification for exercising the government’s powers/authorities, legal procedures for exercising the authorities, how the restrictive authorities are exercised in practice and critical issues regarding the authorities including whether or not private property should be absolute and free from government regulation. In considering all of the matters, relevant cases are presented for illustration.