Public service officers living on contested Kenya Forest Service (KFS) land in Lang’ata could be allowed to secure ownership of the property, according to Forestry Principal Secretary Gitonga Mugambi. Mugambi signaled the move on Wednesday, September 30, when he appeared before the National Assembly House Implementation Committee alongside Chief Conservator of Forests Alex Lemarkoko. The committee was examining a parliamentary report on alleged demolitions and the repossession of land within Lang’ata Constituency, Nairobi County. The long-running dispute involves government workers who have occupied the contested land for more than 30 years.Mugambi told the committee that the Forestry department was prepared to work with the affected residents towards a resolution that would enable them to own the land. He and Lemarkoko proposed that the petitioners withdraw their existing court case to facilitate a joint survey of the disputed property. The survey would involve the affected parties and is intended to establish the position of the land as discussions on ownership continue. The developments come after years of uncertainty among residents over the status of homes built on land linked to the former Ngong Forest boundaries. The dispute traces back to changes made to Ngong Forest boundaries in the late 1990s, including land identified as L.R. No. 23256, which was set aside for residential development. Affected residents have maintained that they acquired the properties through official government processes and have occupied them for decades. In 2025, Parliament had directed that eviction threats be halted, while the government assured residents that no evictions would take place pending a Cabinet decision.Now, Parliament is seeking further action from the Lands Ministry, with Budalangi MP and committee chairperson Raphael Wanjala directing the Lands PS to appear within four weeks. The Lands Ministry is expected to provide an update on the implementation of the proposals reached during the meeting.
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