Residents living on the disputed 44,000-acre Mwea Settlement Scheme in Embu County have accused Ngome Council of Elders of deliberately sabotaging Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) talks to end the longstanding land tussle.
The ADR talks were initiated by the Government last year as a genuine pathway to bring a lasting solution to the decades-old land tussle pitting the two groups claiming ownership of the land.
Initially, both parties had agreed to take part in the mediation talks that were being held at the Embu Law Courts, but the talks collapsed last week after Ngome Council reportedly walked out of the meeting.
Speaking during a public Baraza held at Bondoni in Makima ward, the residents cast doubt on the council’s commitment to the process, yet the government had demonstrated goodwill of settling the dispute amicably by bringing all parties on board.
Led by Makima Ward Member of County Assembly (MCA) and a beneficiary of the settlement scheme Philip Nzangi, the residents said the withdrawal was a clear sign of bad faith and an attempt to derail efforts aimed at uncovering the truth behind land allocations that were done in the past.
They noted that for years, families living in the scheme have been subjected to endless delays, broken promises, and shifting positions, leaving them uncertain about their future land ownership.
The MCA said the decision by the Ngome Council to abandon the talks showed that some parties were uncomfortable with transparency and accountability, especially regarding how the land was subdivided and allocated leaving residents who have been living on the land for decades’ empty-handed.
He alleged that some powerful political figures were hiding behind the elders and using them as a shield to protect personal and political interests at the expense of ordinary residents.
“We are tired of being taken in circles. Everything must be placed on the table, so the truth can come out,” said the MCA, calling for honesty and goodwill from all parties.
His sentiments were echoed by Sila Mwaniki, the Chairman of the Mwea Council of Elders, who said residents were united and determined not to allow their ancestral land to be taken away unfairly.
Mwaniki questioned why Ngome decided to withdraw from the ADR talks if they had nothing to hide, arguing that the move suggested fear of scrutiny over irregularities during the land subdivision.
He insisted that justice could only be achieved through open dialogue and a willingness to confront past mistakes, rather than walking away from negotiations.
Another resident, Shadrack Kilonzo, said families have lived on the disputed land for many years and wondered where those pushing for their eviction expected them to go.
By Samuel Waititu
