The National Land Commission (NLC) has stepped up efforts to resolve historical land injustice cases that have remained unresolved in Makueni County for decades.

Speaking during a public hearing in Wote on Thursday, September 3, NLC Chairperson Abdullahi Alawy said the Commission had made progress in reducing its backlog.

Alawy revealed that only four cases currently before the Commission are still awaiting hearings.

The NLC held the public forum to gather views on the draft Historical Land Injustices Regulations, 2026. Residents used the meeting to explain the challenges they have faced while waiting for their cases to be resolved.

Alawy said the views collected from residents would help the Commission improve how it handles historical land injustice cases and speed up the process.

He said the new Commission inherited a backlog of cases from the previous administration but was committed to dealing with them as quickly as possible.

Residents also called for cases to be resolved within shorter timelines, with some suggesting that historical land injustice claims should not take more than one year to determine.

41-Year Wait for Compensation

The hearing highlighted the struggles of families who have waited for decades to receive justice and compensation for land acquired for government projects.

Makueni resident Cosmus Mwenze told the Commission that 83 families affected by the construction of Mulima Dam in Mbooni Constituency have been waiting for compensation for more than 40 years.

Mwenze said many of the original landowners have since died while waiting for their claims to be settled.

According to him, only 10 of the original 83 landowners are still alive.

He appealed to the NLC to give priority to the Mulima Dam case before more of the remaining claimants die without receiving justice.

Mwenze also asked the Commission to hold hearings closer to affected communities. He said travelling to central locations creates additional financial challenges, especially for elderly and vulnerable claimants.

Court Cases Causing Delays

The NLC also identified court battles as one of the major reasons historical land injustice cases take so long to resolve.

Alawy explained that some parties challenge the Commission’s decisions in court after determinations are made, creating further delays.

Despite the legal challenges, he said the NLC remains committed to addressing genuine claims and clearing the remaining cases.

Makueni County Attorney Stanley Nthiwa also called for the outstanding cases to be handled quickly.

He said unresolved land disputes have affected development in some parts of the county and urged the NLC to set early hearing dates for the remaining matters.

The Commission’s latest efforts are expected to give residents who have waited for decades a chance to finally have their land claims determined.