Former National Assembly Speaker and Democratic Party leader Justin Muturi has questioned how thousands of acres of land previously surrendered by Del Monte Kenya Limited and intended for local residents ended up being allocated to foreign investors.
In a statement shared online, Muturi expressed concern over the fate of more than 7,000 acres of land in Murang’a County, which had been expected to help settle long-standing land claims by residents from Murang’a and neighboring Kiambu County.
According to the former Speaker, Parliament had previously resolved that the land should be distributed to nearly 4,000 local beneficiaries who had waited for years to be settled.
Muturi said the decision, made during his tenure as Speaker, had given hope to many families who believed the move would finally address historical land injustices in the region.
However, the Democratic Party leader now claims that part of the land has been allocated to investors from Bangladesh under the administration of President William Ruto.
Muturi described the development as disturbing, arguing that residents who were originally earmarked to benefit from the land have yet to receive their allocations.
“The land surrendered by Del Monte was meant to bring justice to the local community. Parliament made a clear resolution that it be allocated to thousands of local beneficiaries who had waited for years,” Muturi said.
He added that the people of Murang’a should not be sidelined while land meant for them is handed to outside investors.
The former Speaker also called for transparency in the allocation process, insisting that the will of Parliament and the rights of the local community must be respected.
Muturi further stated that the Democratic Party, which is part of the opposition coalition, will push for the land to be returned and allocated in a transparent and lawful manner to the intended beneficiaries.
