Murang'a, Kenya – A significant number of residents from the Gachagi informal settlement in Murang’a County staged a protest recently, calling on agricultural firm Kakuzi Plc to honor a land settlement agreement that dates back over a decade. Community elders, speaking at a demonstration held near Kakuzi’s offices, asserted that the company has failed to meet its obligations, having allocated plots to only a small fraction of the 10,000 individuals originally promised land under a 2010 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

Dire Living Conditions and Unfulfilled Promises

The protestors, led by recognized slum leaders and community representatives, highlighted the persistently dire living conditions within the Gachagi settlement. Many residents continue to live in makeshift, insecure structures, lacking basic amenities, a situation they attribute directly to the unfulfilled land allocation pledge. They passionately urged both Kakuzi Plc and relevant government officials to intervene decisively and ensure the company fulfills its commitments outlined in the 2010 agreement. The long delay has exacerbated the community's challenges and fueled their frustration.

Call for Justice and Parliamentary Action

A local Member of Parliament, present at the protest, acknowledged the residents' grievances and pledged to raise the issue on the floor of Parliament. The MP stressed that the long-delayed resettlement is not merely a land dispute but a critical matter of social justice for the thousands of affected Gachagi residents who have waited years for a resolution. The community remains hopeful that renewed pressure and potential parliamentary intervention will lead to the fulfillment of the decade-old promise.