Eastlands, Nairobi
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The long-standing land dispute in Nairobi's Eastlands has entrapped thousands of landowners in a protracted and emotionally taxing struggle for title deeds.
At the heart of this conflict lies a valuable 818-acre property, designated as LR No 11379/3, originally acquired by the Kiambu Dandora Farmers Company Limited (KDFCL). The company's 225 shareholders have been embroiled in a decades-long battle, further complicated by the emergence of numerous new claimants who, according to KDFCL officials, obtained documents through corrupt means involving influential individuals. The resolution that KDFCL anticipated following their victory over a rival faction, Dandora Housing Schemes (DHS), proved to be illusory. Mr. Mwangi Karanja, the company secretary for KDFCL, reflects on the intergenerational nature of this conflict as he reviews voluminous legal documents.
The dispute, formally known as Civil Case No. 1348 of 1972, has seen over 30 judges preside over it, including Supreme Court Justice Mohammed Ibrahim. This ownership dispute has been marred by violence, resulting in over 50 fatalities as rival factions clashed. Notable among these was the murder of Stephen Mugo Mutothori, a former mayor of Nyeri town, who was shot at close range by an individual who had paid a substantial sum for non-existent land. The area has also been plagued by the presence of the Mungiki gang, who have exploited landowners by charging "protection fees." While authorities have initiated efforts to address these complex land grievances, progress has been slow, with over 170 cases pending in the High Court.
The Ministry of Lands has undertaken the task of formalizing land ownership in settlement schemes across Nairobi, aiming to resolve titling complications in affected areas. Despite a court ruling affirming KDFCL's ownership of the 818-acre plot, the company's struggles persist. Mr Karanja alleges that approximately 700 title deeds belonging to non-members were secretly inserted into the mother title. The situation is further exacerbated by ongoing subdivisions and issuance of additional titles. This land dispute in Nairobi's Eastlands is emblematic of a broader national issue. Across Kenya, land conflicts have been a persistent source of tension and violence for decades.
The Embakasi Ranching land, valued at an estimated Sh2 trillion, stands as one of the most contentious properties, with disputes spanning nearly five decades. The Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) report highlighted the detrimental impact of fraudulent land dealings and entrenched corruption within the Ministry of Lands. The government faces mounting pressure to swiftly restore order by establishing clear ownership of all disputed lands. While the Ministry of Lands continues its efforts to formalize land ownership in settlement schemes across Nairobi, the process remains arduous and complex.