More than 600 families who were allocated 419 acres of land in Kamiti Forest, Kiambu County, 32 years ago are once again turning to the courts and government to resolve a decades-long dispute over land settlement. The former Kamiti Forest workers, primarily from areas bordering Ruiru, Githunguri, and Kiambu constituencies, were promised the land in 1994 under former President Daniel Moi’s directive to hived off part of the forest for their settlement. However, they have remained unable to take possession, facing prolonged legal battles and alleged interference by individuals seeking to claim the land. The latest development involves a case before the Thika Environment and Land Court, postponed for the fourth time this year and rescheduled for October 8 after the magistrate was reportedly absent.
Kamiti Forest Squatters Association Chairman Philip Kitavi described the protracted legal struggles as leaving hundreds of families in limbo, with some beneficiaries passing away before seeing the settlement plan materialize. He accused self-proclaimed “squatters’ leaders” of filing cases to obstruct the process and denied the community’s rights. Kitavi also alleged that cartels had interfered with the settlement, urging President William Ruto and Lands Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome to intervene. He emphasized that the beneficiaries were casual workers in Kamiti Forest and neighboring coffee farms at the time of the allocation, stating, “The people now claiming the land were nowhere when the late President Moi directed that part of the forest be hived off and allocated to us.”
Beneficiaries such as Fatuma Boru, Eliud Kimani, and Joseph Wanyoike recounted decades of waiting, with some families buried on the disputed land now occupied by wealthy individuals. Wanyoike, who has lived in the area for over 40 years, accused elites of undermining efforts to secure the land. Boru, now a grandmother, highlighted the generational impact, noting she was a child during the 1994 allocation and still awaits resolution. Many families currently reside in temporary, overcrowded structures in Ruturu, with no alternative land to call home. Despite delays, the squatters vowed to pursue legal and government channels until the land is secured for the intended beneficiaries.
The case underscores broader public-interest concerns about land rights, government accountability, and the efficiency of Kenya’s legal system. Kitavi reiterated the community’s demand for justice, stating, “We plead with the court to ensure justice is served.” The prolonged stalemate reflects systemic challenges in resolving historical land disputes, leaving vulnerable populations without recourse. As the court date approaches, the families’ hopes remain tethered to the legal process, with no clear timeline for resolution. The situation highlights the urgent need for policy reforms to address similar cases across the country.