The National Assembly has intervened to address ongoing land disputes in Lang’ata and Mavoko, which have pitted local community groups against state agencies and private entities. The Parliamentary Lands Committee, chaired by North Mugirango MP Joash Nyamoko, held separate meetings with the disputing parties to determine the rightful ownership of land parcels LR Numbers 209/14582 and 12649.
In Lang’ata, the Wilson Mutumba Women’s Group has been embroiled in a long-standing dispute over land they claim to have occupied since 1990. The group stated that they had been issued a certificate of lease on December 18, 1990, and were later sponsored by an Irish organization to construct residential houses. However, the Committee noted that there was no formal agreement between the group and their Irish sponsors. Additionally, the Women’s Group allocated some of the houses to National Police Officers but lacked meeting minutes defining the terms of engagement.
The dispute escalated when police officers, initially stationed there to guard a helicopter that had landed on the property, gradually increased in number and allegedly evicted the Women’s Group. The Committee is now working to establish a clear legal framework to resolve the matter, urging the group to engage with other parties involved in court cases related to the land.
Meanwhile, in Mavoko, the Kenanie Community Organization has struggled to access land they claim belongs to their forefathers. The group asserts that the land contains sacred shrines used for worship but faces arrests and restrictions when attempting to access the area. They have sought parliamentary intervention to clarify whether the land is owned by Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), Game Ranching, or the local community.
MP Nyamoko assured the groups that the Committee is committed to engaging all relevant stakeholders, including the State Department for Lands and Physical Planning, the National Land Commission, and the Kenya Police, to find lasting solutions. The Committee also directed the Kenanie Community Organization to formalize their registration and submit necessary documents to facilitate further deliberations.
As both cases await resolution, the Parliamentary Committee remains focused on ensuring justice and equitable land distribution for affected communities.
