Kakuzi Limited has suffered a blow after a Murang’a court declined to quash a directive by the National Land Commission (NLC) for the firm to surrender 3,200 acres of its 32,900-acre Murang’a estate to allegedly settle squatters.
Other than settling squatters, the company was also directed to surrender about 50 acres to Murang'a County government for public amenities.
“It is my finding that the directives to regularize the settlement schemes, document public utilities and the surrender 50 acres to the County Government of Murang’a were lawful because under Section 15(a) of the Act, the 1st Respondent had jurisdiction to make such a recommendation,” said the court.
The Environment and Land Court added that the NLC took time to visit the land, interview the parties, hear their evidence, consider their submissions and conduct further investigations by interviewing the relevant government agencies and individuals.
According to the court, the recommendation was well thought out and from the evidence filed and the responses, there was no evidence of bias or bad faith on the part of the NLC against Kakuzi.
A boy walking on along a railway line next to Kakuzi's tree plantation.
Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group
In a Kenya Gazette notice dated November 14, 2025 the NLC made various recommendations in several cases filed by groups and associations that had allegedly filed claims against the company.
The groups including Kakuzi Division Development Association, Kituamba Kaloleni IDPs, Milimani Community and Ms Hannah Njoki Mwangi filed what they termed as historical land injustice claims between 2017 and 2021, which culminated in the gazette notice.
The notice ordered the Director Land Adjudication and Settlement in consultation with Kakuzi and any other relevant government institutions to regularise the settlement schemes within Kakuzi land by enabling titling, where pending and conclude the settlement.
The notice added that Kakuzi should relocate schools and public utilities with challenges in access, closer to the people and in the alternative provide proper access roads.
This to be done in consultation with the public or users as well as other relevant government Institutions and departments.
Kakuzi was also directed to regularize or document all surrendered land to the Murang’a County government for market centres and surrender at least 50 acres of land in an appropriate location solely for public purpose, for the development of urban centres for any other public utilities and amenities.
A road that passes next to Kakuzi tree plantation in Makuyu, Muranga County.
Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group
The company had asked the court to intervene arguing that the NLC's directive is unfair, unjust and unreasonable stating that it had made several requests to be furnished with the determinations without success.
Kakuzi Ltd had argued that the directive is illegal and a breach of the constitution. The firm stated that it invested approximately Sh11 billion which includes biological assets, land, development, buildings, dams, plant and machinery, furniture, fittings, capital and work in progress.
The company said the directive to surrender of 3,200 acres will harm its 1,400 shareholders. Further, the company said the directive creates a negative precedent and risk to the Kenyan economy.
“In conclusion, I find no merit in the summons dated 19-11-2025 which I dismiss the costs,” the court ruled.
