Wendano:More than 500 families in Wendano village, Kilimambogo, Thika East Sub-County, are waiting anxiously for a court ruling on Monday, November 16, 2026, hoping to end a decade-long land dispute that has stalled development and left them living in uncertainty. The residents, who were allocated land and issued title deeds in 2017, say repeated court adjournments have prolonged their suffering and denied them the opportunity to develop their properties.
According to Kenya News Agency, the residents have title deeds but cannot enjoy the benefits of land ownership due to the unresolved dispute. Juliah Wangari, a resident, highlighted that the wrangle has paralyzed essential development, including road construction, electricity connections, borehole drilling, sewerage, and the construction of Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) classrooms.
Another resident, Mangarita Ñthenya, stated that many families continue to live in makeshift and poorly constructed houses, fearing to invest in permanent structures and sanitation facilities before the dispute is resolved. Concerns over insecurity were raised by others, including John Ng’ang’a, Rose Kanini, and John Mulwa, who alleged that disagreements over land ownership had led to confrontations, leaving several people injured. They further claimed that some mud-walled houses had been demolished at night by suspected hired goons.
The dispute reportedly arose after some of the original settlers challenged the allocation of 50 by 100 plots, demanding larger portions. Residents alleged that some claimants had sold their allocated plots but continued to interfere with new owners’ efforts to develop them. Despite frustrations from court adjournments, the residents remain optimistic that Monday’s scheduled determination will bring clarity, restore peace, and allow development to resume.
Kiambu County Assembly Deputy Speaker John Njiru recently visited the area following the residents’ outcry, reportedly informing them that the county government was constrained from undertaking major projects pending the court decision. Thika East Deputy County Commissioner Margaret Mwaniki urged residents to maintain calm and peaceful coexistence as they await the ruling, emphasizing the government’s commitment to maintaining security regardless of the court’s decision. She also encouraged residents not to block development initiatives aimed at providing essential services.
The families now hope the ruling will end years of uncertainty and allow them to finally enjoy the benefits of the title deeds they received a decade ago.
