Dr. Isaac Newton Kinity, a Kenyan human rights advocate, has urged President William Ruto to resolve the ongoing land dispute involving a 5,000-acre farm in Ndabibi, Naivasha.
The farm, claimed by over 140,000 elderly Kenyans under the Ndabibi Farmers group, has become the center of controversy following allegations of forced evictions and claims of ownership.
Dr. Kinity has compared the Ndabibi case to a 2013 court ruling that required President Ruto to surrender 100 acres of land to the late Adrian Mutesi. In that case, the court found that Ruto had irregularly acquired the land and ordered him to return it and pay damages of Ksh 5 million.
“The Ndabibi land issue bears striking similarities to the Adrian Mutesi case,” Dr. Kinity stated. “The Ndabibi Farmers have valid ownership documents proving they inherited the land from the late Gilbert Colville through a will.” He added that the late Colville had allocated the land to the farmers, many of whom had worked for him and his family for generations.
The Ndabibi Farmers claim they secured ownership of the land with the help of Colville’s widow, Diana Delves Broughton, who facilitated a loan for them to finalize the subdivision process.
They further allege that a former government official, Benjamin Kipkulei, fraudulently acquired a title deed for 1,000 acres of their land, which he later sold to Ruto.
Dr. Kinity criticized the use of police force to evict the farmers, many of whom are elderly.
He expressed concern over reports of violence, torching of homes, and arrests during the eviction process. “Such actions are not only unlawful but also a violation of the dignity of our senior citizens,” he said.
Kinity called on President Ruto to “swallow his pride” and return the land to its rightful owners.
He emphasized that justice must prevail to protect the livelihoods of vulnerable communities and restore public confidence in the government’s commitment to addressing land injustices.
The Ndabibi Farmers, who claim to have lived on the land since birth, insist that the law is on their side.
They argue that even under Kenyan law, long-term occupation of land, combined with valid documentation, justifies ownership.
Dr. Kinity concluded by urging the government to prioritize resolving historical land injustices, which he said have plagued Kenya for decades. “If we are serious about ending corruption and land-grabbing in this country, it will take a transparent, accountable leadership to address these issues decisively,” he said.
