NLC settles 41-year-old land dispute in Nakuru

The National Land Commission (NLC) has put to an end the Lari Nyakinyua Farm land tussle that has lasted 41 years.

In the early 70s, Lari Nyakinyua Company claimed they bought the farm from the government yet members of Ruyobei Company had already settled on it. The land has since been faced with numerous court injunctions.

NLC Chairman Dr Muhammad Swazuri held a meeting with two groups that lay claim on the 8500-acre farm in Nakuru County where he dismissed the proposal by the two groups that they should swap their lands.

“Members from both groups will get their share where they are currently living. There won’t be swapping and in case some will miss a share on one side they will be moved to the other,” he said

Swazuri said he had earlier requested for further assistance in case individuals will not secure positions in both farms from Deputy President William Ruto who asked that the names of the individuals who will be left out be forwarded to him.

“DP William Ruto has directed us to settle all members and those who won’t be allocated on either farms will be compensated with land elsewhere or in monetary terms,” Swazuri said.

He added that the NLC has the mandate to attend to the matter outside court.

“It has taken the courts 41 years without success. The case was brought to us in 2013 and we are using Alternative Dispute Resolution to hasten realization of justice.”

The National Land Commission has directed the land to be surveyed and the county government to verify the list of members who will be settled on it. The process is expected to last not more than one week after which titling will start.

Nakuru Deputy Governor Joseph Ruto urged Nakuru residents not to politicize the issue since this would only drag them in terms of development.

“If it were not for the court injunctions the government would have built hospitals and schools here. You will be able to attain this after title deeds are processed,” Ruto said.

Written by Lucy Akinyi