Kajiado: Tension is high in Kibiko, Kajiado County, after two rival factions clashed on Wednesday night over the disputed 2,600-acre Keekonyokie community land. The confrontation left one vehicle burnt to ashes and one person nursing injuries, forcing residents to flee in fear of retaliation. Police were deployed that night to restore calm, though locals say tension remains palpable.
According to Kenya News Agency, the land, part of the Keekonyokie Community Trust in Ngong's Kibiko area, has been at the center of a bitter dispute for more than a decade, with rival groups laying claim to ownership. Court records show the row began in 2014, spawning multiple suits, interim orders, and allegations of fraudulent subdivisions.
Speaking on Thursday at the contested land, Thomas Mbugua, a lawyer representing one faction, accused unscrupulous individuals of illegally issuing title deeds to a section of residents, effectively locking out the original landowners. Mbugua said the High Court had already issued orders stopping any subdivision or transfer of the land until the case is determined.
John ole Musei, a resident of Kibiko, claimed that many of the titles were allocated to outsiders while genuine locals were left out. Kajiado West Deputy County Commissioner Lydia Munyi urged residents to maintain peace and allow the legal process to resolve the matter.
Last week, hundreds of Keekonyokie community members staged demonstrations accusing influential persons of grabbing the land through irregular allocations. The Ministry of Lands has however dismissed claims of illegal dealings, insisting its officers acted in line with existing court directions. County authorities have separately raised alarm over what they describe as a Sh100 billion land fraud scheme tied to the Kibiko parcel, and called for a full audit of records.