The National Assembly’s Public Petitions Committee has intensified scrutiny of several contentious land disputes across the country, with the National Lands Commission (NLC) appearing before lawmakers to provide updates on petitions touching on road reserve boundaries, historical land injustices and unresolved ownership claims.

The committee, chaired by Runyenjes MP Muchangi Karemba, met with NLC Secretary and Chief Executive Officer Kabale Tache Arero, who responded to concerns raised in a series of petitions currently under review.

Among the matters discussed was Public Petition No. 18 of 2025 concerning road reserve boundaries and the protection of ancestral land in Gitei Village, Kiambu County.

The petitioners claim that Gitei Village, which is home to more than 10,000 residents, has developed over the years based on the understanding that the Kiambu–Tatu City–Kiambu/Ruiru Road reserve measures 40 metres in width.

However, residents allege that the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) recently installed new beacons along the section between Kiu River and Kirigiti with the intention of expanding the road reserve from 40 metres to 60 metres, a move they say contradicts previous government assurances and the community’s long-held understanding of the road boundary.

During the committee session, Kiambu MP John Machua sought clarification on whether residents likely to be affected by the expanded road reserve would be compensated and whether they would be allowed to remain on the disputed land.

In response, Ms Tache maintained that government survey records support a 60-metre road reserve.

She cited Survey Plan F/R No. 9/69, surveyed and authenticated in 1915, as well as a subsequent survey undertaken in 1959, both of which indicate that the road reserve measures 60 metres.

“In accordance with official government survey records, the statutory width of the C115 road reserve remains 60 metres. The purported reduction of this road reserve from 60 metres to 40 metres based on Gazette Notice No. 3632 is legally untenable,” said Ms Tache.

Committee chairperson Karemba said lawmakers would engage relevant stakeholders before arriving at a final position on the matter.

“This is a matter that we can now engage further as a committee with various stakeholders including NLC, the Ministry of Roads and KeNHA, so that we can provide those people a conclusive response and way forward,” he said.

The committee also reviewed Public Petition No. 59 of 2023 regarding the settlement of squatters in the Ontulili Mount Kenya Forest area.

Petitioners argue that their parents were allocated land under the historical Shamba (Taungya) system, which was intended to settle squatters. They claim that instead of achieving that objective, the excised land was acquired and allocated to the then Minister for Lands and Settlement, the late J.H. Angaine, who allegedly settled himself, his workers and their families on the land.

Ms Tache told MPs that the commission’s 2022 determination recommended that the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government identify and profile genuine squatters, while the Ministry of Lands and Physical Planning verifies those identified.

The commission also recommended that the estate of the late Angaine contribute 25 per cent of the cost of resettling affected claimants.

According to the NLC, the recommendation was aimed at balancing the need to address historical land injustices while protecting the rights of current landowners and investors.

Committee members sought clarification on how the 25 per cent contribution was arrived at and whether it adequately addressed the grievances raised by the petitioners.

Responding, Ms Tache said investigations established that large portions of the land had already been transferred to third parties, including multinational companies, making a complete reversal difficult.

“It was really a balancing act that came into form, and the fact that the land had already transitioned to third parties, the family of Angaine, in the wisdom of the Commission, were required to commit 25 percent of the cost of settling the claimants,” she said.

Representatives of the Angaine family are expected to appear before the committee on Thursday to provide additional information on the matter.

Lawmakers also received an update on Public Petition No. 5 of 2024 concerning the alleged illegal acquisition of Kapkaron Farm land parcels LR No. 5423/2 and LR No. 6053 in Nandi Hills Sub-County.

The petition concerns land that was historically alienated during the colonial era.

Ms Tache informed the committee that investigations and review processes are still ongoing and that the matter remains before the National Lands Commission for determination.

The hearings form part of Parliament’s broader efforts to resolve longstanding land disputes, many of which involve competing claims between local communities, government agencies and private landowners.