NAIROBI, Kenya — Former National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi has questioned how land previously surrendered by Del Monte Kenya in Murang’a County ended up being allocated to foreign investors instead of residents.
In a statement posted on social media on Sunday, Muturi said the land, measuring more than 7,000 acres, had been earmarked for allocation to nearly 4,000 beneficiaries from local communities following a resolution by the National Assembly of Kenya.
Muturi said the decision had been made during his tenure as Speaker and was intended to address long-standing land grievances among residents in Murang’a and neighbouring Kiambu County.
“The land surrendered by Del Monte in Murang’a County, measuring over 7,000 acres, was meant to bring justice to the local community,” Muturi said.
“When I served as Speaker of the National Assembly, Parliament made a clear resolution that this land be allocated to nearly 4,000 local beneficiaries who had waited for years for rightful settlement.”
Claims of foreign allocation
Muturi claimed that part of the land has now been allocated to investors from Bangladesh under the administration of William Ruto.
He said the move had raised concerns because many of the intended beneficiaries had yet to receive land.
“It is therefore deeply disturbing that a portion of this land has now been allocated to investors from Bangladesh while many of the intended beneficiaries remain without land,” Muturi said.
“This is unacceptable. The people of Murang’a cannot be sidelined while their land is handed to outsiders.”
Political pressure over the land issue
Muturi further said that the issue would be pursued by the opposition alliance known as the United Alternative Government.
According to him, the group would push for the implementation of Parliament’s earlier resolution and demand transparency in the allocation process.
“The United Alternative Government will ensure that the will of Parliament and the rights of the local community are respected,” he said.
