When Kenya won the battle for independence and attained self-rule, in Murang'a County — regarded as the cradle of the Agikuyu community — locals hoped land which was taken from them by white settlers would be returned.
But 62 years later, the county is still entangled in land disputes with foreign-owned companies, Del Monte and Kakuzi, which engage in plantation farming. Sometimes the escalation of violence results in murder.
The issue of land ownership, multinational control and lack of title deeds in Murang'a has become a key political topic ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Murang’a Senator Joe Nyutu said cases of extrajudicial killings have been reported in the plantations.
“The people of Murang’a continue to live as squatters on land owned by foreigners. Some of these plantations have been sites of extrajudicial killings. People have been harmed, especially where road access is prohibited,” the senator said.
Mr Nyutu said that the county’s real estate performance is erratic due to land insecurity. He noted that cartels are exploiting the situation they grab land and sell it illegally.
The issues of foreign-owned land, land titling and multinationals’ control have become central political themes.
During a visit to Maragua town, Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua said: “What successive governments have failed to address in Murang’a land matters will be part of our liberation agenda in opposition.”
The most affected areas are Maragua, Ithanga Kakuzi, and Gatanga, where more than 150,000 people await land allocation by multinational firms.
“We have 17,500 families demanding settlement on land owned by multinationals and group ranches. However, some claims may be exaggerated. For example, the British-owned Kakuzi Plantation is being asked to cede over 1,000 acres,” she said.
The MP warned that the land issue is so significant “it will likely influence how voters relate to presidential aspirants in 2027”.
Ms Maua said that she has petitioned President William Ruto to intervene, and has submitted a list of the disputed lands.
In one case, locals are demanding 35 acres from Kakuzi Plantation which has 32,900 acres along the Kenol–Marua road.
But Kakuzi’s Head of Corporate Affairs Simon Odhiambo said there was no agreement to give out any land.
“We have never promised to gift any part of our land. What exists is a memorandum which was mutually agreed upon that allows specific community members to occupy designated areas,” Mr Odhiambo said.
“In our 97-year history, we are now a publicly listed company and do not have idle land to give away. The land in question is a water catchment area,” he said.
Other areas with long-running land issues are;Embakasi Ranching Company Ltd, Mbo-I-Kamiti, Samuru Gituto, Kagaa, Muthanga, Nanga Kihoto, Mwireri Mukia, Mithini, and Kihiu Mwiri.
Embakasi Ranching Director Joseph Njenga said: “A powerful cartel comprising administrators, ranching boards, police, military, politicians, technocrats, lawyers, members of the Judiciary, and unscrupulous dealers has delayed land justice for over 50 years.”
“Whenever a new government is formed and we push for title deeds, cartels infiltrate and begin sharing out our forefathers’ land among themselves,” he said.
At Kihiu Mwiri Ranching Company, deaths have been reported in the last two decades due to violent clashes over land control.
At Samuru Gituto Farmers’ Cooperative, elderly members are pleading with the State to recover their 1,700-acre multibillion-shilling land which they allege was stolen through irregular sales. The case has dragged in court for many years.
Lands Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome, who is from Murang’a , is yet to take decisive steps in the disputes nearly three years into President Ruto’s tenure.
“Digitisation of land records will help the country escape these kind of intrigues. The confusion, anguish, and backlog in courts must be resolved with a technological solution at the touch of a button,” Ms Wahome told Nation.
Six months into his presidency, Dr Ruto visited Murang’a County and promised to issue title deeds for residents to be settled on land ceded by multinational companies. He also pledged to distribute an additional 10,000 title deeds.
Another contentious case involves Del Monte where authorities have not clearly stated how much land the company controls or has ceded, raising fears of manipulation by cartels.
A petition by Kandara Residents Association Secretary-General Geoffrey Kairu has led to numerous fact-finding missions, but there has been no breakthrough yet.
A report by the National Assembly Lands Committee released on October 5, 2023, stated that Del Monte occupies 22,644 acres in Murang’a and has ceded 4,843 acres.
It recommended that the ceded land be shared in a 70:30 ratio—70per cent for residents and 30 per cent for the county government. The committee approved 1,930 beneficiaries from Gatanga, Thika West, Kandara and Maragua.
The list includes 600 residents from Gachogi, 400 from Lower Gatanga, 230 from Upper Gatanga, 200 each from Maragua, Matharau, and Umoja, and 100 from Makenji.
In a joint statement with the Central Organisation of Trade Unions (Cotu), Del Monte voiced concern over sustained pressure to surrender land, warning that it could threaten the company’s survival.
Cotu board member Boniface Kavuvi, while reading the statement, urged the government to protect Del Monte, underscoring the economic loss the country would face if the company collapsed.
Del Monte’s corporate communications team did not respond to queries about the total acreage being claimed or the company’s position on the matter.
However, the Murang’a County Government has announced plans to develop 1,312 acres of the land that Del Monte ceded.
According to the master plan, 713 acres will be allocated for industrial development, 432 acres for an Export Processing Zone (EPZ), 69 acres for hazardous industries, and 87 acres for packaging and assembly plants.
An additional 120 acres have been set aside for processing industries, 15 acres for a commercial hub, 20 acres for the Affordable Housing Programme, and 10 acres for a matatu terminus.
