Kenya to cap company land holdings in Kajiado as Ruto vows 70% of land returns to residents

President William Ruto has said the government will ensure that no company takes control of more than 240,000 acres of land in Kajiado County, promising that a significant portion will be returned to residents for other economic activities.

Speaking in Kajiado, Ruto said companies involved in the exploitation of the area's resources would only be allowed to occupy a fraction of the land. He said investors could occupy between 20 and 30 per cent of the land, while the remaining 70 per cent would be returned to the people of Kajiado County.

"We are going to make sure that no company will occupy 240,000 acres of Kajiado land. They are going to occupy maybe 20, maybe a maximum of 30 per cent. Seventy per cent of that land will come back to the people of Kajiado County so that we can use other resources and we can use it for other purposes," Ruto said.

The President said the move was aimed at ensuring that local communities benefit from the resources found in their county instead of allowing companies to control large tracts of land. His remarks come amid growing attention on land ownership and the exploitation of natural resources in Kajiado, particularly around the Magadi area.

Ruto has previously called for greater local processing of minerals and resources, arguing that Kenya should move away from exporting raw materials and instead establish industries that create jobs and generate more value for local communities.