MPs demand answers over 301,000-acre Galana Kulalu land takeover
The House Committee on Implementation criticised the DCI’s Land Fraud Unit for failing to investigate the illegal subdivision and encroachment of ADC land despite clear recommendations by Parliament in May 2022.
Members of Parliament have accused the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and the Ministry of Lands of systemic negligence after revelations that no action has been taken on a parliamentary directive to investigate the irregular takeover of over 301,000 acres of Agricultural Development Corporation (ADC) land in Galana Kulalu, Kilifi County, valued at more than Sh15 billion.
The National Assembly’s Committee on Implementation criticised the DCI’s Land Fraud Unit for failing to investigate the illegal subdivision and encroachment of ADC land despite clear recommendations by Parliament in May 2022. The Committee also faulted the Ministry of Lands for failing to implement resolutions passed by the 12th Parliament, describing its inaction as institutional failure.
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The disputed land, identified as ADC 1 FR. 119/86 was the subject of a 2021 public petition filed by former Magarini MP Michael Kingi on behalf of the affected community. The petition raised concerns over irregular boundary extensions that displaced hundreds of residents in Kilifi.
However, despite Parliament adopting the Lands Committee’s report and ordering swift investigations, no substantial progress has been made.
In a letter dated July 21, 2025, and signed by George Kisika on behalf of the DCI Director, the Directorate stated that the matter was not under active investigation.
“On the Report of the Departmental Committee on Lands on Public Petition No. 004 of 2021 by the Honourable Michael Kingi, MP on behalf of Magarini community landowners regarding irregular extension of Galana Ranching boundary, this matter is not being handled by the DCI,” reads the letter.
The DCI appeared before the committee chaired by Budalang’i MP Raphael Wanjala to respond to the implementation status of the Galana Kulalu case, as well as a separate land dispute in Nairobi's Mowlem Ward involving land reference number LR. NO. 11379/3.
Embakasi West MP Mark Mwenje, who chaired the session, lashed out at the Ministry of Lands for distancing itself from responsibility and questioned the authenticity of title deeds issued under its watch.
“The responsibility of issuing title deeds lies with the Ministry of Lands. I have copies of several titles here, fraudulently issued by Ministry officials. Why have you allowed the public to continue being conned?” Mwenje posed.
Chief Land Registration Officer David Nyandoro, appearing on behalf of Lands Principal Secretary Nixon Korir, told the committee that the Ministry’s role in the Galana dispute was limited and that the recommendations fall within the mandates of other bodies.
“Chair, it is the view of the Ministry that these recommendations fall under the mandate of the NLC, DCI, and EACC, and therefore, these bodies are best placed to provide a status update,” Nyandoro said.
In a written response from the PS, the Ministry clarified that the boundaries of ADC 1 FR. No. 119/86 had not been altered, and no new survey had been presented to the Director of Surveys for approval.
“The Director of Surveys (DoS) was to offer technical assistance to ADC, the County Government of Kilifi and the National Land Commission. The State Department is ready to offer any technical assistance when called upon,” Korir said.
But MPs remained unconvinced. Ainabkoi MP Hilary Kosgei criticised the Ministry’s report as “shallow and unconvincing,” accusing it of enabling long-running fraud.
“The Ministry has become a safe haven for fraudsters both inside and outside the system. It’s time the DCI’s land fraud unit takes over these investigations seriously,” Kosgei said.
Other legislators, including Lilian Siyoi, Ntutu Kitilai, Memusi Kanchory, and Committee Chair Raphael Wanjala, echoed calls for the DCI and the National Land Commission (NLC) to fully implement Parliament’s resolutions.
Former ADC chairman Nick Salat, while appearing before the Lands Committee in 2022, disclosed that ten unnamed individuals had already begun developing portions of the grabbed land by constructing dams and infrastructure. He urged investigative agencies to reveal their identities.
“I am not in a position to give the names of the influential people; all we are interested in is getting back the land. It is upon investigating agencies to give out the names,” Salat said.
The Galana Kulalu project was initially launched in 2013 by former President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto to boost national food security. However, the Sh14.5 billion project stalled amid corruption claims. A parliamentary team later recommended its termination, declaring it unviable.
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