MURANG’A, Kenya – After years of uncertainty, squatters living on the contested Kakuzi land in Murang’a County may finally see justice.
The National Land Commission (NLC) has initiated a formal review process to determine how much of the land owned by the multinational agricultural firm should be redistributed to the local community.
The commission’s Historical Land Injustices Secretariat, led by Edmond Gichuru, visited the vast Kakuzi estate to gather information on the residents’ claims.
The squatters, many of whom consider the land their ancestral home, are pushing for the return of 14,000 acres, arguing that much of it lies idle.
“We are optimistic that the NLC will make the right decision and order Kakuzi to cede the land to us,” said Murigi Njogu, the chairperson of the group representing the squatters. “This is not just about land; it’s about correcting historical injustices and reclaiming our heritage. Many of us have been forced to live as squatters on what should rightfully be our land.”
Njogu cautioned the NLC against partnering with entities that could misrepresent the interests of the local community.
He called for close collaboration with local administrators to ensure an accurate list of affected residents, warning against past mistakes where land allocation processes were manipulated.
“NLC must not repeat the Delmonte ceded land saga, where land meant for the people ended up under the control of the county government,” Njogu stressed.
The residents’ grievances were echoed by many, including Margret Syombua, a squatter who shared her daily struggles under the shadow of Kakuzi.
“We can’t even fetch firewood from the forest or bury our loved ones. This land is our heritage, and yet we are treated like outsiders,” she said.
The NLC’s decision to review the land claims has rekindled hope among the squatters that their suffering might soon come to an end.
The commission is expected to start preparing determinations based on the findings from its tour.
The National Land Commission (NLC) has initiated a formal review process to determine how much of the land owned by the multinational agricultural firm should be redistributed to the local community.
The commission’s Historical Land Injustices Secretariat, led by Edmond Gichuru, visited the vast Kakuzi estate to gather information on the residents’ claims.
The squatters, many of whom consider the land their ancestral home, are pushing for the return of 14,000 acres, arguing that much of it lies idle.
“We are optimistic that the NLC will make the right decision and order Kakuzi to cede the land to us,” said Murigi Njogu, the chairperson of the group representing the squatters. “This is not just about land; it’s about correcting historical injustices and reclaiming our heritage. Many of us have been forced to live as squatters on what should rightfully be our land.”
Njogu cautioned the NLC against partnering with entities that could misrepresent the interests of the local community.
He called for close collaboration with local administrators to ensure an accurate list of affected residents, warning against past mistakes where land allocation processes were manipulated.
“NLC must not repeat the Delmonte ceded land saga, where land meant for the people ended up under the control of the county government,” Njogu stressed.
The residents’ grievances were echoed by many, including Margret Syombua, a squatter who shared her daily struggles under the shadow of Kakuzi.
“We can’t even fetch firewood from the forest or bury our loved ones. This land is our heritage, and yet we are treated like outsiders,” she said.
The NLC’s decision to review the land claims has rekindled hope among the squatters that their suffering might soon come to an end.
The commission is expected to start preparing determinations based on the findings from its tour.
