The National Land Commission (NLC) convened a fresh round of investigative hearings into Historical Land Injustice (HLI) claims, bringing together parties from Mombasa and Bungoma counties at the commission’s headquarters in Nairobi.
The hearings aim to address longstanding grievances involving land ownership, evictions, and displacement that date back decades.
Chaired by Prof. James Tuitoek, who also heads the NLC's HLI Special Committee, the sessions provided a platform for claimants and respondents to present evidence and testimonies in a bid to resolve protracted disputes.
Commissioners Hubbie Hussein, Esther Murugi, and Tiyah Galgalo also sat on the panel, with the HLI Secretariat led by Edmond Gichuru facilitating the process.
The hearings included several cases from Mombasa County, particularly involving absentee landlords and coastal tenants who have filed claims under the HLI framework.
Tuitoek expressed concern over the failure by some respondents to honour NLC summons.
“The commission had extended ample time for respondents to comply with summons, yet some had failed to appear,” he said.
One of the most prominent cases involved the Shikeli family, which was granted an additional 14 days to submit all relevant documentation in response to the claims.
The Kenya Land Alliance (KLA), a long-time advocate for land justice at the Coast, was represented at the hearing by member organisations from the region.
The delegation, led by KLA Board Member Nagib Shamsan of Mombasa, underscored the importance of the process, noting that land injustices at the Coast have persisted for generations.
Residents from Mombasa have participated in several hearings in the past, including public sessions held in 2023, 2024, and earlier this year at Bandari College.
The communities involved in the claims include those from Swahili Village in Bondeni, Mwembe Kuku, Kiziwi, Kisauni, Nyali, and Freetown.
The NLC announced that it will issue a final opinion on May 27 regarding absentee landlords who have continuously ignored summons since 2023, despite multiple notices and public sessions.
In a significant development, the Bungomek community from Bungoma County also appeared before the HLI panel to present their land injustice claims.
The commission invited the group following revelations from prior hearings in Mt. Elgon, indicating overlapping claims among the Bungomek, Kony, and Sabaot communities.
Describing themselves as a distinct indigenous group, the Bungomek told the commission they were displaced during the 1992 tribal clashes and forced to sell their land and livestock at undervalued prices to survive.
Their submission highlighted the complex and sensitive nature of historical land disputes in the region, particularly among marginalised and unrecognised communities.
The commission acknowledged the importance of hearing the
Bungomek’s case independently before issuing any final decisions in the Mt.
Elgon region, signalling a commitment to inclusive justice and due process.
