KDF finally ends 48-year land battle with Kiplombe, Kamagut residents

A 48-year land row in Kiplombe and Kamagut areas of Uasin Gishu, pitting the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) and residents is coming to an end after the parties agreed on a land-sharing formula.

A truce brokered by the Defence and Lands ministries will see locals allocated 5,000 acres of the land, with the title deeds expected to be ready for issuance by June this year.

The 5,000-acre parcel of land has been at the centre of a legal battle for 48 years with the KDF and residents both putting ownership claim of the said land.

Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, who toured the area on Thursday, assured that the battle is coming to an end after both factions reached a truce.

“Sisi tutaishi na ujirani mwema na watu wa Kiplombe farm na KDF. Tukianza survey, three to 4 months we give you titles. Tutahakikisha tumesuluhisha mambo ya Kiplombe farm haraka,” said CS Duale.

Lands and Physical Planning Principal Secretary Nixon Korir added: “Next week nitatuma officers wangu wawe hapa.”

CS Duale says the Defence ministry has mapped out the contentious parcels and an amicable solution will be reached in due course.

“We have been looking at where we have disputes with people living close to the military barracks, Meru, Isiolo, and many other areas,” he stated.

The 48-year land tussle has led to the deaths of 8 people. In November 2023, five youths were killed as residents clashed with KDF officers in Kamagut.

An autopsy conducted by Chief Government Pathologist Johansen Oduor then revealed that the victims died due to blunt object trauma that caused internal bleeding.

In 2021, three residents were killed as infightings along the disputed parcel of land escalated.