The National Land Commission (NLC) Chairman Abdillahi Saggaf Alawy Friday led a public participation forum on the Investigation of Historical Land Injustices and the Review of the Grants and Dispositions of Public Land Regulations, 2026, in Kiambu County.

The forum, held at St Peter’s Catholic Church, Kiambu Sub County, brought together National Government Administration Officers (NGAO) led by the Deputy County Commissioner Titus Macharia, alongside members of the public, state and non-state actors who turned up in large numbers to air their views.

A section of members of the public and NGAO team present during the event. Photo by Kipkorir Felix.

The exercise is part of a nationwide drive by the Commission to collect public input on proposed regulations and to give citizens a platform to table complaints touching on historical land injustices that have for decades remained unresolved across the country.

Speaking during the forum, the chairman, flanked by Commissioners Mary Seneta and Esther Murugi, emphasized the central role of public participation in shaping land policy and reforms.

“Public participation is not a formality but a constitutional obligation. We are here to listen to the people of Kiambu because the resolution of historical land injustices and the fair disposition of public land must be anchored on the voices, experiences and lived realities of ordinary Kenyans,” said Alawy.

He added that every submission received would be carefully considered as the Commission finalises the regulations and advances justice for affected communities.

The Chairman urged residents to seize the opportunity to present their grievances and documentary evidence, assuring them that the Commission remained committed to transparency, fairness and the protection of public land from illegal acquisition and encroachment.

The Deputy County Commissioner, on his part, lauded the Commission for choosing Kiambu as one of the stations for the exercise, noting that land remains an emotive and highly valued resource in the county.

Macharia called on residents to engage constructively and shun any form of incitement during the deliberations.

Members of the public who attended the forum welcomed the initiative, saying it offered them a rare chance to directly engage the Commission on long-standing land disputes, questionable allocations of public land, and the need for lasting solutions.

The Commission is mandated under the Constitution and the National Land Commission Act to investigate present or historical land injustices and to recommend appropriate redress.

The Kiambu forum forms part of a series of consultative meetings being held across the various counties before the regulations are enacted.

By Kipkorir Felix and Grace Naishoo