High Court judge James Makau has issued an order restricting Kandara residents against trespassing the Delmonte land waiting for the determination of the case filed by the lo.
The company had moved to court early this year, challenging the determination of the NLC directing the resurveying of the land. The job was to be undertaken by the Director of Survey in conjunction with the county governments of Kiambu and Murang’a, to establish whether there is any variance between the parcel leased and the one occupied by Del Monte.
The Kandara residents claim that the land is public and that Del Monte has no proprietary rights despite occupying it.
The survey was aimed at settling the demands of communities in Murang’ a and Kiambu counties where the Del Monte holds 22,000 acres, requires the American firm to surrender any land that is not registered in its name.
The National Land Commission (NLC) has directed that any surplus land identified be surrendered to the Murang’ a and Kiambu claimants for resettlement as well as the respective county governments in the ratio 70:30 respectively.
They said their forefathers used the land for mixed farming before White settlers took some of it, followed by the soldiers who had fought in the world wars, who were awarded the land by the colonial government.
They claimed that their villages were converted into labour camps and that they were forced to work in the sisal estates before the land changed hands.
Two Murang’ County residents are seeking a court order for competitive bidding of the land leased to fruit processing company Del Monte in Murang’ a County when the lease term comes up for renewal.
Ephantus Githae and James Mwangi want the National Land Commission and the county government compelled to place bids to attract prospective local and international investors.
An attempt by the parties to settle the dispute out of court, through mediation by the National Land Commission, flopped as the parties did not agree.
Governor Ferdinand Waititu and Del Monte managing director Stergios Gkaliamoutsas signed a memorandum of understanding authenticating the lease of 8,000-acre land.