Families near Galana ranch in Kilifi and Tana River counties say unclear boundaries have affected their daily lives for years, as land ownership remains unresolved. A petition before Parliament claims parts of their ancestral land have been taken, including areas used for settlement and cultural practices.
Lawmakers have now directed the Lands State Department to bring all parties together and engage the communities in search of a solution.
Members of the National Assembly Select Committee on Implementation during a sitting on Tuesday, raised concerns over the handling of the dispute after reviewing updates on earlier recommendations linked to the matter.
The session, chaired by MP Memusi Kanchory, heard from Weldon Maritim, the Director of Survey, who appeared before the committee to brief members on the progress made, but was found not to have fully addressed the issues raised in the petition.
The matter stems from a petition presented by Michael Kingi on behalf of community land owners from Magarini, who claim that the boundary of Galana ranch was extended in a way that affected their land in Kilifi and Tana River counties.
The petition alleges that the Agricultural Development Corporation expanded its land into areas historically occupied by the Waata and Giriama communities, affecting land used for settlement and cultural activities.
Lawmakers noted that the disputed land holds importance for the livelihoods of the affected communities, with some sections identified as shrines. They expressed concern that the matter has remained unresolved despite earlier recommendations requiring a formal survey process involving the National Lands Commission to help establish and restore the original boundary points.
The committee pointed out that the office of the Director of Survey has not fully implemented those recommendations, describing the delay as a setback for the affected communities seeking clarity and resolution. Members said the continued delay has prolonged uncertainty for residents living near the disputed area.
In his response, Weldon Maritim told the committee that the State Department for Lands and Physical Planning is ready to provide technical support once formally engaged in the process. He added that institutions such as the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations may be better placed to provide detailed information regarding alleged encroachment and subdivision of the land.
“We are coming to the tail end of this issue, we need to engage ADC and subsequently survey the land however we have sensitive areas like shrines in there, we agree with this Committee on the request that stakeholders like the County Government of Kilifi and EACC be engaged to help solve the problem.”
Committee substantive chairperson Raphael Wanjala emphasized the need to include the affected community in the engagement process, noting that land matters require careful handling and proper communication. Other committee members supported the approach and suggested that the Principal Secretary should take the lead in coordinating the process to ensure all relevant parties are involved.
The committee further directed that stakeholder engagement should be carried out in a structured and inclusive manner, bringing together national and county officials alongside community representatives. The State Department has been given three months to report back on the progress made and the steps taken toward resolving the boundary dispute.
