KIOME: Del Monte’s future expansion depends on settling the past

Pineapples are harvested for canning on the Del Monte plantation in Thika /VICTOR IMBOTO

The recent meeting between President William Ruto and Del Monte’s leadership is timely and pivotal, as it offers the multinational corporation a golden opportunity to achieve two objectives simultaneously.

First, Del Monte’s leadership, which met the President and key senior government officials from the Industrialisation ministry, should use the inroads made during the meeting to address historical land injustices that have been a thorn in the company’s flesh for close to 50 years.

I will not delve deeper into this matter because an ongoing court case is currently being heard at the Court of Appeal between the victims of historical land injustices, represented by the Kandara Residents Association and Del Monte Kenya.

This comes against the backdrop of an earlier ruling where the Environment and Land Court at Murang’a dismissed Del Monte Kenya Limited’s petition challenging parliamentary land committee reports, found no constitutional violations and ordered the company to pay costs. The ruling was delivered virtually in Murang’a on September 30 last year.

However, the crux of the issue is a 2023 report by the 13th Parliament Land committee that recommended that Del Monte return 7,400 acres to victims of historical land injustices from the Kandara region and the Kiambu and Murang’a county governments. The victims would be apportioned 70 per cent of the land, while the remaining 30 per cent given to the respective counties.

It is important to note that in its submission to the Land committee, the Kenya Revenue Authority was open to the Alternative Dispute Resolution route, which would open the possibility of a fast and mutually-beneficial solution to the impasse that has been ongoing for 5o years.

A speedy resolution would be a golden opportunity for all stakeholders to embrace because resolving the land issue would make peace between Del Monte and the communities that neighbour its massive land holdings.

Besides, it is of no one’s interest for Del Monte to exit Kenya. The company’s operations have created direct and indirect employment for more than 20,000 people, making it a crucial source of livelihood for many individuals and families.

The closure of fruit company would have far-reaching consequences, not only for the company and its employees but also for the broader community, especially the residents of Kandara who have been closely connected to its operations.

The loss of such a major employer would lead to a significant economic downturn, increased unemployment and loss of income for many families, worsening poverty and hardship in the region.

Second, a fast and amicable resolution would demonstrate to the Tana River and Makueni communities that Del Monte is a responsible corporate citizen that embraces the shared prosperity ethos.

Good relationships with communities in Tana River and Makueni are important because Del Monte has identified these two key regions for its future growth. As such, a congenial relationship between it and the host communities would reduce the risk of future friction between the two.

Fights between Del Monte and the communities in Murang’a and Kiambu have been a blight on its legacy.

Finally, an amicable and expeditious resolution to the historical land injustices would make President Ruto deliver his February 2024 promise to area residents that the issue would be resolved and title deeds issued. Fulfilling this promise would leave a positive and indelible mark on his legacy while giving the victims of historical land injustices their dues.

Let all stakeholders come together to make this a reality in 2026.                        

Kiome is a Kandara resident and works in the healthcare sector, [email protected]