Kandara Residents Association are calling for  immediate action from Members of Parliament (MPs) to resolve a long-standing land dispute between the  Association and Del Monte Kenya Limited

  The Committee on Lands, chaired by Hon. Josh Nyamoko, MP, held a crucial meeting with the Kandara Residents Association, representing aggrieved individuals from Murang'a and Kiambu Counties.

 The Association claims to have endured historical land injustices allegedly committed by Del Monte Kenya Limited. 

During the meeting, Mr. Geoffrey Kairu, the Secretary General of the Association, presented documents prepared by Real Plan Consultants, outlining the land parcels claimed and occupied by Del Monte. These documents were initially submitted as part of a complaint filed with the National Land Commission in 2019. However, the implementation of the Commission's recommendations has been significantly delayed, prompting Mr. Philip Njuguna to present a petition to the House on behalf of the Kandara Residents Association. 

According to the petition, the residents assert themselves as the original landowners, claiming that their land was unlawfully taken from them and leased to Del Monte Kenya Limited. 

Upon careful scrutiny of the submitted documents, the Committee has discovered that 4,843 acres of land in Murang'a County and 2,696 acres of land in Kiambu County have been reverted back to their respective counties. However, the land could not be returned to the Kandara Residents Association, raising concerns. Mr. Kairu emphasized the disadvantaged economic situation of the Kandara residents, explaining that they lacked the means to defend themselves. He further claimed that Del Monte currently occupies 7,400 acres of government land.

The previous Committee on Lands, during the 12th Parliament, had also investigated the Kandara land tussle. Committee Chair, Hon. Joash Nyamoko, assured attendees that the current Committee would thoroughly examine the reports and provide further updates on the matter.

As part of their investigation, Members of the Committee on Lands plan to visit the Kandara area. They assured all parties involved that the Committee would carefully review the submitted documents and provide further updates on the matter in due course. 

The Committee on Lands also met with Centum Investment Limited PLC to discuss an ongoing land tussle in Vipingo. The Ministry of Lands confirmed that ownership of the Vipingo lands could be traced back to the 1930s. 

However, there was no evidence to support Vipingo Development Limited's claim of legally acquiring public land. The Ministry further contended that the company had wrongfully claimed ownership of certain land parcels, suggesting that the number of squatters in those areas could only be determined through a ground verification exercise conducted by the registered owners.

The Committee on Lands, led by Hon. Josh Nyamoko, MP, has pledged to take swift action to resolve land disputes.