Nanga Kihoto Company shareholders fear losing Sh2.5billion Naivasha land to grabbers
The land, estimated to be worth more than Sh2.5 billion, is owned by 1,768 shareholders, most of them from Gatanga in Murang’a County and Naivasha. The property was acquired in 1981 through the land buying company but has faced prolonged delays in subdivision and allocation due to leadership wrangles and court battles
Members of Nanga Kihoto Naivasha Company Limited have raised alarm over alleged attempts by land grabbers to seize a 1,270-acre parcel in Naivasha, Nakuru County, more than four decades after the shareholders purchased the property.
The land, estimated to be worth more than Sh2.5 billion, is owned by 1,768 shareholders, most of them from Gatanga in Murang’a County and Naivasha.
The property was acquired in 1981 through the land buying company but has faced prolonged delays in subdivision and allocation due to leadership wrangles and court battles.
Speaking during the company’s annual general meeting held at Gatanga Catholic Church Hall over the weekend, company chairman Francis Muheria said suspicious individuals who are not members of the company had recently encroached on the land.
He, however, assured shareholders that the provincial administration and security agencies had intervened and successfully evicted the trespassers.
“We thank the provincial administration and police for moving swiftly to flush out those who had encroached on our land and I can assure members that their property is safe and intact,” said Muheria.
Muheria revealed that the subdivision process was nearing completion and that members are expected to receive half-acre plots and title deeds by December this year.
He urged shareholders to clear outstanding survey fees and other dues to facilitate the completion of the exercise.
The chairman also warned members of the public against fraudsters allegedly selling fake membership certificates linked to the land.
“Some people have been conned by crooks who are selling fake membership certificates. The public should report such characters to the police immediately. There is no ongoing sale of our land to outsiders,” he cautioned.
The land buying company has in the past been rocked by internal disputes, with former directors accused of filing multiple court cases that delayed the subdivision process for years.
Murang’a County Assembly Deputy Speaker and Kihumbu-ini Ward Representative Mungai Gachui called on the current management to fast-track the allocation process, noting that many shareholders had waited for decades to settle on the land.
“We appreciate the efforts made by the management towards subdivision and settlement of shareholders. Some have waited in vain and even died before realising their dream of owning land,” said Gachui.
He blamed previous delays on leadership wrangles and legal disputes initiated by former officials, most of which were later dismissed by the courts.
Shareholders who attended the meeting expressed optimism that they would finally take possession of their land after more than 30 years of waiting.
One of the members, 78-year-old Emmah Wanjiru, described the latest developments as a major relief to elderly shareholders who had feared losing their investment.
“It’s a big relief because for the past 30 years members have been waiting for the subdivision of land in vain,” she said.
Another shareholder, identified only as Mwangi, urged the company to ensure all members are settled before next year’s General Election.
