Kakuzi PLC Suffers Major Legal Setback as Court Clears Way for Return of Ancestral Land in Murang’a

A landmark ruling by the Environment and Land Court has dealt a significant blow to Kakuzi PLC, paving the way for the restitution of 3,200 acres of ancestral land to claimants in Makuyu, Murang’a County.

In the judgment delivered by Maxwell Gicheru, the court lifted interim orders that had temporarily protected Kakuzi’s land holdings, effectively allowing the implementation of recommendations made by the National Land Commission.

The commission had, on November 14, 2025, gazetted its final determination on a Historical Land Injustice claim filed by the Kakuzi Division Development Association. The NLC recommended that Kakuzi PLC surrender 3,200 acres of its Makuyu land to KDDA and three other claimant groups to facilitate the resettlement of affected communities.

The latest court decision now clears the path for the subdivision and allocation of the land, marking a critical milestone in efforts to address long-standing grievances dating back to the colonial era.

Although Kakuzi PLC has been granted leave to appeal the decision at the Court of Appeal, the court declined to issue any further injunctions that would halt the restitution process. This means the implementation of the NLC’s recommendations can proceed without additional delays.

The ruling is being hailed as a historic victory for land justice in Murang’a, signaling renewed hope for communities seeking redress over historical land dispossession.