By Benadeta Mwaura - Reporter
Kenya, 19 November 2025 - Kakuzi PLC, one of Kenya’s largest agribusiness firms, is locked in a bitter and high-stakes land dispute with communities in Murang’a County.
For decades, local families have claimed ancestral land within Kakuzi’s expansive farm, and now several of those affected are demanding justice, while Kakuzi argues for its property rights and investor protections.
The conflict isn’t new, it traces back to colonial-era dispossession and longstanding grievances over who truly owns the land. According to a longread from the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC), several communities say their forefathers worked Kakuzi land but gradually lost it, even as they continued to rely on the company for their livelihoods
Today, these communities are still marginalised. As KHRC documents note, public facilities such as health centres, schools, and markets are located inside Kakuzi’s estate, but access is restricted. In some cases, children are forced to walk across Kakuzi farms before sunrise to reach school; pregnant women reportedly risk their lives traversing rough terrain to get to hospitals.
The Legal Battles
In early 2025, the Environment & Land Court ruled in favour of a local CBO, Kakuzi Kinyangi Mixed Organic Farmers, in a case challenging Kakuzi’s land ownership. But the company is not backing down: it has secured a court order preventing a group of squatters from occupying one of the contested parcels (LR 11674) pending a full hearing.
Kakuzi argues that the current encroachment is not linked to past MoU agreements, and claims the risk of losing its property, with serious financial and business impacts. Meanwhile, the squatters, represented by community leaders, say Kakuzi has never fully honored previous resettlement promises.
Promises, Broken Deals & Eviction Woes
Part of the dispute centers on memoranda of understanding (MoUs) signed between Kakuzi and local families. In 2010, Kakuzi agreed to subdivide 10 acres into half-acre plots for 35 families, but by 2018 only 10 were resettled.
Tensions escalated in mid-2025: Kakuzi filed a case in Murang’a’s Environment & Land Court to evict 25 families alleged to be trespassing. The company warns that continued occupation could lead to “substantial financial losses … loss of employment, and a complete paralysis” of its operations.
On the ground, suspected “invaders” remain, despite court orders for their removal. The company claims they are illegally harvesting forest resources and quarrying, causing environmental damage.
Land Access & Public Roads
Another flashpoint is public access roads. Local leaders, including the Murang’a County government, have repeatedly demanded that Kakuzi open up roads that cut through its farmland, arguing they are public roads and must be accessible without special passes.
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Kakuzi has denied these claims, insisting that some of the roads are private and have been wrongly labeled.
Political figures have added fuel to the fire. Maragua MP Mary Waithira issued a two-week ultimatum to Kakuzi in 2025, demanding the land be allocated to the 25 remaining families under long-standing MoUs.
On the other hand, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has warned against “inciting invasion” of Kakuzi (and other companies’ estates), calling for disputes to be resolved through legal channels.
Key Takeaways and What Lies Ahead
The Kakuzi land dispute underscores several critical issues shaping Kenya’s land ownership and community rights.
Justice for Historical Injustices: The conflict highlights how colonial-era land ownership continues to affect communities today, raising questions about whether descendants of displaced families will finally receive justice for past wrongs.
Corporate Responsibility vs. Property Rights: Kakuzi maintains that surrendering large tracts of its farm could severely impact its business operations and investor interests. Critics, however, argue that the company’s activities have come at a significant social cost, particularly for local communities whose livelihoods and access to resources have been affected.
Access to Public Services: Many community members still face difficulties accessing schools, health centers, and roads, as some critical routes pass through Kakuzi’s land. Limited access affects everyday life and highlights broader equity challenges in land governance.
Rule of Law: The ongoing court cases and political interventions reveal how contested land rights remain in Kenya. The dispute tests whether institutional mechanisms such as the National Land Commission (NLC) can deliver meaningful redress and uphold justice for all parties.
Kakuzi’s court challenge indicates that the dispute is far from resolved. Communities may continue to push for renewed MoUs or better compensation, potentially through NLC recommendations or legal judgments.
As pressure mounts on the government to fast-track land reforms and resettlement, the case could set an important precedent for land justice in Kenya. Handled carefully, it may advance reconciliation and equitable access; mishandled, it risks reigniting tensions and conflict.
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