The protracted land dispute between Del Monte Kenya Limited and Kiambu and Murang’a residents has escalated after the residents demanded the allocation of some 7,400 acres.
The locals, represented by the Kandara Residents Association have been pursuing allocation of part of the land that’s occupied by the multinational fruit juice processor.
The association represents 5,000 squatters, including victims of historical injustices, from the two counties.
They have been laying claim to the land, accusing the company of occupying the government land illegally.
The aggrieved residents raised concerns over delays in implementing recommendations by the Parliamentary Lands Committee in the previous government that recommended that they should be settled on the land.
The residents led by Ng’ang’a Njoroge are also up in arms against the National Lands Commission (NLC) for failing to heed to its Gazette Notice that ordered the allocation of the land to the residents and the respective county governments at a ratio of 70:30.
A gazette notice dated, March 1, 2019, said 70 percent of any excess land ceded by Del Monte should be given to members of the community and 30 percent to the county governments.
In July 2020, former President Uhuru Kenyatta had directed a win-win solution to be pursued for the interests of both residents and the multi-national fruit firm.
