Group Claiming Solio Ranch Ownership Told To Wait for High Court Verdict
The Mt Kenya Times 
Guchokanirira Kihato Traders and Farmers Company new chairman Kimunya Kamana (centre), Francis Karangi (Secretary) and Patrick Theuri (Assistant Secretary) at Senior Chief Wambugu Palace near Nyeri town where they briefed journalists on the company's status on November 6 last year.
By Mt Kenya Times Reporter
Worth Noting:
- Mzee Kimunya Kamana who was on November 5 last year elected the new Gucokaniriria Kihato Farmers and Traders limited chairman disowned the commercial advertisement saying it must have been done by masquarenders
- He said the genuine members who owns the land conducted the firm’s directors election in Karatina, Nyeri County and the names of new directors taken to the Registrar of Companies by their lawyer.
- He wondered what could have motivated the unnamed people to spend their money on such an issue bearing in mind that elections which they did not contest was conducted a few months ago and more so, a verdict on the Ranch issue is coming in a very weeks’ time.
A group of people claiming ownership of the vast Solio Ranch has been told to wait for the outcome of a case before laying claim to the now controversial land running into thousands of acres.
The chairman of Gucokaniriria Kihato Farmers and Traders Company limited, Mzee Kimunya Kamana says several groups and individuals have for decades been claiming that the land belongs to them and the issue will be resolved once a pending case is determined.
Mzee Kamana said his group which has legitimate members who contributed money in early 1970’s was waiting for the case at Nyeri Environmental and Land Court whose ruling is expected to be made on March 23.
Mzee Kamana was reacting to an public notice published in the Daily Nation last Tuesday where unnamed directors, who he said were not in his team claimed ownership and at the same time warned the public against buying the said land, either in full or part.
The advertisement purportedly by Board of Directors stated that some firms were claiming ownership of Solio Ranch and had subdivided it for sale to members of the public.
In the advert, the unnamed leaders warned Kenyans against being duped since the controversial land was not for sale.
Further, the statement added, the Ranch had a pending case before the Nyeri Environmental and Land Court.
The ruling was set for December 6 but when the parties met in court, the presiding judge pushed the date to March 23.
Yesterday, Mzee Kimunya Kamana who was on November 5 last year elected the new Gucokaniriria Kihato Farmers and Traders limited chairman disowned the commercial advertisement saying it must have been done by masquarenders
He said the genuine members who owns the land conducted the firm’s directors election in Karatina, Nyeri County and the names of new directors taken to the Registrar of Companies by their lawyer.
He wondered what could have motivated the unnamed people to spend their money on such an issue bearing in mind that elections which they did not contest was conducted a few months ago and more so, a verdict on the Ranch issue is coming in a very weeks’ time.
“We announced the date of elections in the media, met and held peaceful elections which were presided over by government officials. We made public the names of those elected and no one has ever come up to challenge that, “Mzee Kamana said, adding, “those elected are not behind the advertisement”.
He urged the members to stay calm and wait for the verdict of the court.
After he took office, Mzee Kamana led a section of former freedom fighters in demanding for the government to speed up their settlement in a land.
He disclosed that they were allocated the land nearly 50 years ago but they are yet to settle there.
The slightly over 2,500 members says the land, measuring about 110,000 acres was given to them by the founding father of the Nation, the late Mzee Jomo Kenyatta in 1973 but it has since been excised with only 58,000 acres remaining.
This remaining part is commonly known as Solio Ranch, a sanctuary housing different wildlife including the endangered Rhino.
During a Special General Meeting held at Karindundu area in the outskirts of Karatina town in Mathira constituency, Nyeri County on November 5, the members gave the government a three months ultimatum to resolve their settlement or they invade the vast land, subdivide it amongst themselves and settle there.
The members have been lamenting that their patience is wearing out and could not wait any more, due to among other reasons their advanced age.
They want President William Ruto and his Deputy Rigathi Gachagua to assist them have the ownership issue and their settlement resolved once and for all.
“We have waited for 49 years to get this land. We went in the forest to fight the colonialists so that we can get back our land and that is why we’re are demanding to get this land which rightfully belongs to us,” Mzee Kamana said.
The 94-year-old said most of the original members of the group were either dead or aged like him and wanted the new administration to assist them get their land,”before we die”.
Mzee Kamana who served as the Mayor for Nakuru after the 1992 General Election said after the ultimatum time, they would hold a meeting and chat the next course of action which include how to invade the vast piece of land that lies in Laikipia County at its boundary with Nyeri County.
The chairman informed the meeting that they have written to the President urging him to help resolve the protracted land tussle which they claimed was complicated by among others, former Attorney-General Charles Njonjo and former Juja MP Stephen Ndichu.
The meeting was told the late Njonjo made them loose the land documents which led them to move to court and get awarded the land but they are yet to settle after a group led by Ndichu started claiming ownership.
He said in 1973, they paid Sh300,000 to acquire it.
Mzee Kimunya claimed Njonjo had used threats, intimidation and the police to confiscate their allotment letter together with the title deed and that is where the struggle to regain their ownership documents started and is yet to be fully settled.
In court documents the chairman showed the members and journalists, Njonjo had sought to strike out a case filed by members, arguing that the contested land was public and the court did not have jurisdiction to hear it. He also denied allegations of abuse of power to block the farmers from owning the land.
But then High Court judge dismissed the claim, saying the farmers had raised a case that could be heard by the court.
In a subsequent appeal by Njonjo, the then Court of Appeal judge also ruled in favour of the farmers.
In a document dated April 10, 1996 and signed by one Ms J W Mugo for the Permanent Secretary in charge of the Provincial Administration, the Commissioner of p
Police was instructed to comply with a court order to the effect that the confiscated documents be returned to the owners to avoid further litigation.
But Mr Kimunya said the documents had not been returned to them.
In their latest attempt to get their land through formally writing to the authorities, the letter addressed to President Ruto says in part, “With various rulings and decrees in our favour, we sincerely believe that the most prudent action that can be taken by the relevant offices is to assist members of Guchokaniriria Kihato get back what is rightfully theirs.”
The special meeting was attended by hundreds of members drawn from Nyeri, Murang’a, Kirinyaga, Kiambu, Nakuru, Nyandarua and Laikipia counties.
Other officials elected included Francis Karangi as the Secretary and Mrs Nelly Muchugu as the Vice Chairman.
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