The Environment and Lands Court in Naivasha has summoned several officials, including the regional surveyor and the Lands Registrar, to appear in court in November to address a long-standing land dispute involving 3,000 acres in Gilgil.
The case, filed by over 210 members of the Rumuruti Farmers Company Limited, pits the farmers against the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) and involves high-profile government officials, including the Defence Cabinet Secretary, Interior Cabinet Secretary, Chief of Defence Forces, Kenya Army Commander, and the Attorney General, all named as interested parties.
The disputed land was originally purchased in 1986 by Rumuruti Farmers Limited, alongside other farming companies, from a British entity.
The combined purchase involved five parcels totaling 3,515 acres.
Due to financial constraints, the farmers sold 400 acres to Akorino Farmers Company Limited.
The remaining 3,105 acres were meant to be subdivided among the three farming companies.
However, the farmers now allege that the Kenya Army encroached on 275 acres of their land, fencing it off and constructing buildings, including a store and sewage facilities, without any formal agreement or compensation.
During the hearing, Rumuruti Farmers Limited director, Kipkoskei Tuigong, testified that the company had registered with the Ministry of Lands and surrendered its mother title in 1996.
The Chief Land Registrar had then instructed the issuance of title deeds to the shareholders.
Tuigong insisted that the farmers never authorized the Kenya Army to occupy the land, nor were they informed of any planned use of the land by the military.
The group is now seeking compensation for what they consider illegal encroachment by the KDF.
This dispute highlights larger issues related to land ownership and military presence in Kenya.
The Kenya Defence Forces have been embroiled in various land disputes, with accusations of encroaching on private or communal lands, often with little transparency.
For the Rumuruti Farmers, the 3,000-acre plot represents a major investment, and they are determined to prove their legal ownership in court.
The November court session will be pivotal in resolving ownership claims.
The production of key documents, such as the Registry Index Map and other title records, will be critical to proving the farmers’ claims.
Should they succeed, the court may order the Kenya Defence Forces to compensate the farmers for their losses, a move that would reaffirm the legal protections afforded to landowners in Kenya.
The case serves as a broader reminder of the complex land issues that continue to plague Kenya, particularly in regions where military installations intersect with civilian land use.
It also underscores the importance of proper documentation and the role of the judiciary in settling such disputes fairly and transparently.
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