VOI, Kenya — The National Land Commission (NLC) has approved the preparation of a comprehensive register of bona fide farmers in Machungwani, a key step toward resolving a long-standing land ownership dispute affecting approximately 2,970 hectares in Taita Taveta County.
The decision was announced during a farmers’ sensitisation meeting in the area and is expected to establish a clear framework for identifying legitimate beneficiaries ahead of the final settlement of land ownership claims.
The three-week registration exercise, coordinated by the Machungwani Community-Based Organisation (CBO), is designed to document all genuine occupants and farmers as part of efforts to bring clarity and legal certainty to land tenure in the area.
Taita Taveta County Executive Committee Member for Lands, Christina Zighe, assured residents that the process would not result in dispossession, describing the registration as a safeguard rather than a threat.
“No farmer will lose their land as the county moves to resolve this dispute. The registration is a critical step in securing land tenure and ensuring fairness,” Zighe said.
She added that the county administration remained committed to addressing historical land challenges, but stressed that the exercise must be protected from political interference to preserve its credibility.
“The process must remain transparent and free from political influence if it is to deliver justice to the community,” she said.
The initiative received backing from the Agricultural Finance Corporation (AFC), with chairperson Engineer John Mruttu urging residents to adopt a long-term perspective.
“Proper planning can allow room for public utilities and infrastructure while unlocking the area’s economic potential,” Mruttu said.
County Chief Officer for Lands Wakili Jimmy Mtawa reiterated the department’s commitment to transparency and good governance, pledging technical support throughout the exercise to protect its integrity.
“We will provide the necessary technical oversight to ensure the process is credible, inclusive and compliant with land governance principles,” Mtawa said.
Local leaders, including County Assembly Members Khalifa Taraya and Chripus Tondoo, called for unity among residents and leaders, warning that the success of the exercise depended on trust in those overseeing it.
They emphasised that only officers of proven integrity should be involved in the registration and cautioned against the participation of individuals with questionable conduct, arguing that past land injustices had often been exacerbated by compromised processes.
The Machungwani registration forms part of a broader county-led initiative to address historical land injustices, enhance security of tenure, and promote sustainable agricultural development across Taita Taveta.
Under Article 67 of the Constitution, the NLC is mandated to manage public land, advise on land policy, and investigate historical land injustices, a role that places the commission at the centre of dispute resolution efforts such as the Machungwani case.
County officials say the success of the registration exercise will determine the next phase of engagement with the NLC, including verification, dispute resolution mechanisms, and eventual formalisation of land rights for legitimate beneficiaries.
