Land disputes in Kajiado and Machakos counties have escalated, with residents urging the government to intervene to curb illegal land grabbing and protect their property rights. In Kajiado, a bitter conflict has erupted over the 46,000-acre Torosei Group Ranch in Iloodokilani, Kajiado West sub-county. Allegations of land theft have surfaced, with members claiming that unscrupulous individuals have colluded with National Government Administration Officers (NGAO) and county lands officials to grab land. The situation is exacerbated by the fact that over 60% of the original ranch members have passed away, leaving the land vulnerable to exploitation.
The ranch’s chairman, Maimpi Ole Katie, and treasurer, both of whom have been ill for years, are unable to manage the ranch’s affairs, creating a power vacuum that has allowed for illegal activities to thrive. The local leadership has vowed to halt the illegal subdivision of the land, with Kajiado Governor Joseph Ole Lenku promising to do everything in his power to protect the ranch from further encroachment. “Hatutakubaliana nayo” (we will not agree to this), he declared.
In Machakos, tensions are rising in Mavoko, particularly in the Lukenya West area, where landowners are demanding government action to stop a developer from encroaching on their land. Residents, who had already paid Ksh 200,000 to Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) for regularization, valuation, and survey fees, are now facing the loss of their land to another party backed by armed security. The land, which was previously owned by East African Portland Cement Company (EAPC), was transferred to KCB as part of a debt settlement.
Machakos Woman Representative Kamene Kasimbi has called for swift action to prevent private developers from dispossessing residents who have followed the legal process. “This injustice must be addressed urgently,” Kasimbi stated.
As tensions flare in both counties, residents are urging the government to take decisive action to protect their rights and restore order to the embattled regions.
