500 families in Thika East await ruling on decade-old Wendano land dispute
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More than 500 families in Wendano village, Kilimambogo, are waiting for a court ruling on 16 November to resolve a decade-long land dispute that has stalled roads, power, water and school projects in the area.
More than 500 families in Wendano village, Kilimambogo, in Thika East Sub-County, Kiambu County, are waiting for a court ruling on Monday, 16 November 2026, hoping to end a decade-long land dispute that has stalled development and left them unable to use land they hold title to.
The residents were allocated land and issued title deeds in 2017 during an exercise presided over by then-President Uhuru Kenyatta. They say repeated court adjournments have prolonged their suffering and denied them the opportunity to develop their plots. Juliah Wangari, a resident, said the wrangle had paralysed essential projects including road construction, electricity connections, borehole drilling, sewerage and the construction of early childhood development education classrooms.
Another resident, Mangarita Nthenya, said many families continue to live in makeshift and poorly constructed houses, fearing to invest in permanent structures and sanitation facilities before the dispute is settled. John Ng'ang'a, Rose Kanini and John Mulwa raised concerns over insecurity, alleging that disagreements over land ownership had triggered confrontations that left several people injured.
The dispute reportedly arose after some of the original settlers challenged the allocation of 50-by-100 plots, demanding larger portions. Residents further alleged that some claimants had sold their allocated plots but continued to interfere with new owners' efforts to develop them.
Kiambu County Assembly Deputy Speaker John Njiru recently visited the area following the residents' outcry and reportedly told them the county government was constrained from undertaking major projects pending the court's decision. Thika East Deputy County Commissioner Margaret Mwaniki urged residents to remain calm and said the government remained committed to maintaining security regardless of the outcome, asking them not to block development initiatives.