More than 2,000 squatters in the Kamiti area of Kiambu County have appealed to President William Ruto to intervene and help resolve a land dispute that has dragged on for more than three decades.
The residents, operating under the Kamiti Forest Squatters Association, claim the government allocated them over 400 acres of land in 1994 during the tenure of former President Daniel Moi. However, despite the allocation, they say they have never been able to formally take possession of the land due to prolonged court battles and alleged interference from powerful individuals.
Led by their chairman Philip Makau, the squatters spoke outside the Thika Environment and Land Court on Tuesday, where a hearing related to the ownership of the disputed land had been scheduled.
Makau said the land in question measures approximately 419 acres and lies between Kiambu Town, Githunguri and Ruiru sub-counties. He urged the national government to intervene and ensure the original beneficiaries are finally settled.
According to the association, many of the people who were initially allocated the land have died while waiting for the matter to be resolved.
“Our voices must be heard. Some of the beneficiaries have already passed away without ever seeing justice,” Makau said.
The group also appealed to the court to visit the area and listen directly to the concerns of residents who say they have lived in uncertainty for decades.
“We humbly ask the court to visit the ground and hear directly from residents who have been seeking justice for more than 30 years,” Makau added.
In addition to the land dispute, the squatters raised concerns about the alleged grabbing of a public cemetery in the area. Makau accused some local administrators of colluding with wealthy individuals to sell the cemetery land.
He called on the Kiambu County Commissioner to investigate the matter and take action against chiefs allegedly involved in the sale.
“We have nowhere else to bury our departed members if the cemetery is taken away,” he said.
Some residents also shared their personal struggles as the dispute continues.
Fatuma Boru, who says she has lived in the area since 1996, recalled being told by a local administrator that she should return to Moyale despite living in Kamiti for decades.
“I have lived and worked here with my family since I was young. Now I have grandchildren. I appeal to the President to hear our cry and help us get land because we have no other home,” she said.
Another resident, Francis Maina, also urged the government to move quickly and resolve the issue.
In 2022, the Parliamentary Committee on Lands and the National Land Commission visited the disputed land and recommended that the current occupants be allowed to remain and eventually be settled there.
However, the squatters say they are still waiting for a final resolution.
