Residents of Lari Constituency in Kiambu County have raised alarm over a contested three-acre parcel of land in Nyamweru, Kirenga Ward, which they say was originally set aside for a Mau Mau memorial site but is now under private occupation.
The community claims the land was reserved during the 1960s land demarcation process for the construction of a monument to honour victims of the Mau Mau struggle, particularly those who lost their lives during the historic Lari Massacre.
However, residents allege that the land was later taken over under unclear circumstances after remaining unused for years, with an individual now reportedly holding a title deed and carrying out farming activities on the property.
Human rights activist Simon Peter Karanja, speaking on behalf of local residents and elders, insisted that the land remains public despite the existence of a private title.
“Records at the Surveys of Kenya still indicate that the land is public and was set aside for a memorial. That is why we are demanding its return,” he said.
The land is closely linked to the events of March 26, 1954, when the Lari Massacre, locally known as “Muito wa Lari,” claimed the lives of more than 100 people during the colonial emergency period. Residents say the proposed monument was intended to preserve the memory of those who died, including both Mau Mau fighters and local inhabitants.
Karanja noted that the site was also earmarked for the development of historical resource centres, where students, researchers and visitors would learn about Kenya’s independence struggle.
“This was meant to be a place of learning and remembrance. Without it, our history risks fading away,” he said.
Residents argue that the focus on the land diminished over time, particularly after the establishment of a nearby health facility, which some believed had taken over the role of memorialising the events.
They now want the government to intervene, investigate the circumstances under which the land changed hands, and facilitate its repossession for public use.
Community members have vowed to pursue the matter through all available legal and administrative channels, insisting that the land must be preserved for future generations.
They also raised concerns over other alleged cases of public land being taken over by private individuals in Kirenga and Gituamba areas, calling for a broader audit of public land in the region.
The residents say reclaiming the land would not only preserve history but also create opportunities for tourism, education, and local economic development.
