The National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Lands convened on August 26, 2025, at Bunge Tower to examine a petition concerning the alleged illegal alienation of 47,000 acres in the Olkiombo area of Narok County, within the Maasai Mara Conservancy.

The petition, supported by Narok West MP Gabriel Tongoyo, claims that private developers have encroached on the land, threatening wildlife habitats, tourism revenue, and the livelihoods of local Maasai communities.

The petitioners, led by Anthony Leseiyo, highlighted the severe implications of the alleged land grabbing.

“This is our only hope because a lot is at stake. There are wild animals there and people’s livelihoods at stake,” Leseiyo told the committee.

The disputed parcel lies within the wildebeest migration corridor, a critical area for the Maasai Mara’s globally renowned ecosystem. Petitioners warned that alienation of this land could undermine public revenue, jeopardise tourism assets, and set a concerning precedent for land disputes in Kenya.

Thorough investigation

Chaired by North Mugirango MP Joash Nyamoko, the Lands Committee pledged to take decisive action.

“This committee is fully seized of this matter, and we will be inviting more people to present necessary evidence so that we can resolve this matter,” Nyamoko said.

The Committee plans to summon officials from the Ministry of Lands and other relevant agencies to provide clarity on ownership claims. Additionally, a site visit to the disputed area has been scheduled to assess the situation firsthand and expedite a resolution.

Land rights and conservation

The petition highlights broader concerns over land rights in Kenya, especially in regions like Narok, where historical and contemporary disputes have often marginalised indigenous communities such as the Maasai. Olkiombo land is vital to both the Maasai Mara’s ecological balance and the cultural heritage of local communities.

Petitioners fear that unchecked private development could disrupt the delicate interplay between conservation and community welfare. The Committee’s probe represents a critical step toward safeguarding public land, ensuring accountability, and upholding the Maasai’s ancestral rights.

With tourism and wildlife conservation at stake, stakeholders are closely watching the Committee’s investigation, which could set a benchmark for how Kenya handles land disputes involving critical ecological and cultural landscapes.