Residents of the former Kihiumwiri Land Buying Company settlement in Murang’a County are turning a new chapter after decades of violent land disputes following state land regularisation programme that has seen hundreds of title deeds issued to legitimate landowners.

The exercise gathered momentum after Lands Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome recently issued 750 title deeds to beneficiaries and directed a 90-day verification exercise to authenticate land ownership records before additional titles are processed.

The settlement, commonly known as Kenyatta Farm, was for years associated with violent land conflicts, prolonged court battles and disputed ownership claims that claimed lives, displaced hundreds of families and left many residents living in fear.

Officials of Kihiumwiri Land Buying Company said the verification exercise is progressing well and is expected to be completed by the end of August, paving the way for the issuance of thousands of remaining title deeds.

Company Director Josephat Thiong’o said the exercise involves reconstructing historical land records to eliminate irregularities that had previously been exploited by land cartels.

“We are rebuilding the registries to prevent any attempts to interfere with official records. This process will ensure that only genuine shareholders receive title deeds,” Thiong’o said.

He said completion of the verification exercise would enable the processing of the remaining title deeds and bring lasting certainty over land ownership in the settlement.

According to company officials, the conflict claimed the lives of seven directors while five others disappeared under mysterious circumstances and have never been traced. The violence also forced hundreds of families to flee their homes as disputes over land ownership intensified.

Residents say the ongoing issuance of title deeds has restored confidence, reduced tensions and encouraged peaceful coexistence among people who were once divided by the conflict.

Naomi Wanjiku, one of the beneficiaries whose husband was killed during the land clashes, described receiving a title deed as the end of years of uncertainty.

“I am happy because I now know I will not be evicted from the land where I have lived for many years,” she said.

She explained that residents are receiving title deeds for the parcels they currently occupy, while those whose original allocations correspond to undeveloped land retain ownership of those plots.

The community is also seeking formal recognition of the name Kenyatta Farm in place of Kihiumwiri, saying the new identity symbolises reconciliation, peace and a fresh beginning after decades of violence, disappearances and prolonged legal battles over land ownership.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Muoki Charles