02/06/2026
๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐
๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐, ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐
๐๐๐ซ๐ฅ๐ข๐๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐๐ฎ๐ข๐ฅ๐๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ฌ
๐๐ฎ๐๐ฌ๐๐๐ฒ, ๐๐ฎ๐ง๐ ๐, ๐๐๐๐
The Public Petitions Committee has intensified its scrutiny of several land-related petitions, with the National Lands Commission (NLC) appearing before Members to provide updates and clarify the Commission's position on matters ranging from road reserve boundaries and historical land injustices to unresolved land ownership claims.
The Committee, chaired by Hon. Muchangi Karemba (Runyenjes), met with National Lands Commission Secretary and Chief Executive Officer Ms. Kabale Tache Arero, who responded to a series of petitions currently under consideration.
One of the key matters discussed was Public Petition No. 18 of 2025 concerning road reserve boundaries and the protection of ancestral land in Gitei Village, Kiambu County.
The petitioners contend that Gitei Village is an ancestral settlement that is home to more than 10,000 residents. According to the petitioners, residents have developed their properties over the years based on the understanding that the KiambuโTatu CityโKiambu/Ruiru Road reserve measures 40 metres in width.
However, the residents claim that the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) recently installed new beacons along the stretch between Kiu River and Kirigiti with the intention of expanding the road reserve from 40 metres to 60 metres. They argue that the move contradicts previous government assurances and the long-held understanding of the community regarding the road reserve's extent.
During the session, Kiambu MP Hon. John Machua sought clarification on whether residents likely to be affected by the expanded road reserve would be compensated and whether they would be permitted to continue occupying the disputed land.
In response, Ms. Tache maintained that official government survey records support a 60-metre road reserve. She cited Survey Plan F/R No. 9/69, which was surveyed and authenticated in 1915, as well as a subsequent survey conducted in 1959, both of which indicate a road reserve width of 60 metres.
"In accordance with official government survey records, the statutory width of the C115 road reserve remains 60 metres. The purported reduction of this road reserve from 60 metres to 40 metres based on Gazette Notice No. 3632 is legally untenable," said Ms. Tache.
Committee Chairperson Hon. Karemba emphasized the need for further engagement with relevant stakeholders before the Committee reaches a final determination on the matter.
"This is a matter that we can now engage further as a committee with various stakeholders including NLC, the Ministry of Roads and KeNHA, so that we can provide those people a conclusive response and way forward," said Hon. Karemba.
The Committee also examined Public Petition No. 59 of 2023 concerning the settlement of Ontulili Mount Kenya Forest squatters.
The petitioners argue that their parents were allocated land under the historical Shamba (Taungya) system, which was intended to facilitate the settlement of squatters. They allege that instead of fulfilling this objective, the excised parcels were acquired and allocated to the then Minister for Lands and Settlement, the late Hon. J.H. Angaine, who subsequently settled himself, his workers and their families on the land.
Ms. Tache informed Members that in its 2022 determination, the Commission recommended that the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government identify and profile genuine squatters, while the Ministry of Lands and Physical Planning verifies those profiled.
Additionally, the Commission directed that the estate of Hon. Angaine contribute 25 percent of the cost of resettling the affected claimants. According to the Commission, the recommendation was intended to strike a balance between addressing historical land injustices and protecting the rights of current landowners and investors.
Members of the Committee sought clarification on how the 25 percent contribution was determined and whether the recommendation adequately addressed the grievances raised by the petitioners.
Responding to the concerns, Ms. Tache explained that the Commission had established that significant portions of the land had since been transferred to third parties, including multinational companies. As a result, the Commission sought a solution that would provide redress to the claimants while safeguarding legitimate investments and the broader public interest.
"It was really a balancing act that came into form, and the fact that the land had already transitioned to third parties, the family of Angaine, in the wisdom of the Commission, were required to commit 25 percent of the cost of settling the claimants," she said.
The representatives of the Angaine family are expected to appear before the Committee on Thursday to provide additional information regarding the matter.
Members also received an update on Public Petition No. 5 of 2024 concerning the alleged illegal acquisition of land parcels known as Kapkaron Farm LR No. 5423/2 and LR No. 6053 in Nandi Hills Sub-County. The petition concerns land that was historically alienated during the colonial era.
On the status of the matter, Ms. Tache informed the Committee that investigations and review processes are ongoing and that the claim remains before the National Lands Commission for determination.
