Kakuzi Limited has announced plans to contest a National Land Commission (NLC) directive requiring the company to cede 3,250 acres of its land in Murang’a County to local community members. The contested property, part of Kakuzi’s expansive holdings near Makuyu, has long been at the center of land-use debates, with the community claiming historical entitlements to the area.
According to the company, the NLC’s decision threatens to disrupt ongoing agricultural operations and investment plans. Kakuzi, a major player in Kenya’s commercial farming sector, argued that the directive could set a precedent affecting corporate land tenure across the country. The company indicated that it will engage legal avenues to challenge the order, citing the need to safeguard both its operational continuity and investor confidence. Community leaders, meanwhile, have welcomed the NLC’s move, asserting that the land is crucial for local development and livelihoods.
The dispute highlights ongoing tensions between large-scale agricultural enterprises and community land claims in Kenya. Analysts note that the resolution of such cases will be pivotal in balancing economic growth with equitable land access. As the legal process unfolds, all eyes will remain on Murang’a, where the outcome could influence national policy on land disputes and corporate-community engagement.