Land Ownership Dispute Sparks Tension Between Squatters and Farmers’ Association in Laikipia

By : Mweru Mbugua 

Tension is escalating in Thome Location, Rumuruti Division, Laikipia County, following a bitter dispute over the ownership of more than 23,000 acres of land, pitting a farmers’ association against squatters drawn from pastoralist communities

The contested land is legally owned by over 5,000 members of the Mathira–Kihundui–Kahonoki–Gitaaraga Farmers’ Association, which acquired the property in 1974

Despite the land having been subdivided, association members never settled on it, leaving large sections unoccupied for decades

According to the association’s chairman, Mr Dominic Munyiri, the prolonged absence of registered owners created an opportunity for squatters to move onto the land and begin claiming ownership

“The land was subdivided many years ago, but members did not take up settlement. This opened the door for invasion,” Munyiri said

However, squatters occupying the land argue that they have lived there for more than 38 years and were taken by surprise by recent eviction threats, particularly after learning that part of the land had been sold

Mr Munyiri confirmed that the association’s management committee has already sold 2,000 acres to an investor who plans to undertake large-scale agricultural production

He added that the remaining land is also available for sale to interested buyers.

Emotions ran high during a meeting held at the disputed site, where squatters led by Kadili Kaishu and John Lekurtutu insisted they had occupied the land for decades without any objection from the registered owners or government authorities

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“No one questioned our presence here for all these years. It is unfair to suddenly evict us,” the squatters said

Laikipia West Deputy County Commissioner, who chaired the meeting, ruled that the Mathira–Kihundui–Kahonoki–Gitaaraga Farmers’ Association remains the lawful owner of the land, having presented valid ownership documents

He noted that the association retains the legal right to dispose of the property.

However, the administrator said squatters or any other interested parties were free to formally express interest in acquiring the land through negotiations with the association’s management committee, subject to due process and legal requirements

Despite the ruling, the squatters vowed not to vacate the land, insisting they have ownership rights over the portions they occupy, setting the stage for a potentially prolonged and contentious land dispute in the area