Suba South MP calls for review of Miwani Sugar Factory land ownership

Suba South MP Caroli Omondi has stepped up calls for the repossession of more than 10,000 acres of the Miwani Sugar Factory nucleus estate, insisting the land was irregularly claimed and should revert to public ownership.

Omondi, who filed the petition, presented his case before the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Lands during a public hearing held in Miwani, Kisumu County.

Residents also attended the session, urging MPs to expedite the process and resolve the long-standing dispute.

He told the committee the matter had dragged on for years despite investigations and court rulings that, according to him, affirmed the land’s public status. “This issue has taken too long. Investigations were done and the courts made their determinations. The land is public,” Omondi said.

The legislator dismissed claims that the land was acquired through a legitimate auction, arguing that there was no evidence of any transaction or payment.

“There was no auction and no money exchanged hands. Those ownership claims are not valid,” he said.

He further cited findings by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), which he said pointed to fraudulent attempts to acquire the land, reinforcing earlier court decisions. Omondi expressed confidence that the ongoing parliamentary process, including public participation, would bring the matter to a conclusion.

“The committee has come to listen to the people on the ground. We are confident the land will ultimately be returned to the public,” he said.

He linked the dispute to broader challenges facing the sugar sector, including concerns over leasing of factories, unpaid workers, and failure to properly account for key assets such as the nucleus estate.

Residents who spoke during the session maintained that the land historically belongs to the community, tracing their claim to pre-colonial times. They argued that any leases issued during the colonial period had since expired. They urged the committee to fast-track the petition, saying the prolonged wrangle had denied them economic opportunities linked to the once-thriving factory.

Muhoroni MP James Onyango K’oyoo supported the petition, referencing previous court rulings and government positions indicating the land is public. “The courts have pronounced themselves on this matter, up to the Court of Appeal, and found the ownership claims to be false,” said K’oyoo.

He added that the issue had previously been raised in Parliament, where officials from the Agriculture Ministry confirmed the land belongs to the community. “This land belongs to the people, but we are concerned that an investor has returned and is cultivating part of it,” he said. K’oyoo urged residents to remain patient as Parliament finalises the process, even as he accused those claiming ownership of illegally occupying the land.

Members of the Lands Committee also assured residents of their commitment to resolving the dispute. Kisumu Central MP Joshua Oron said the committee would stand with the community, while Kirinyaga Central MP Gitari David noted that all concerns raised would be considered. Kajiado Woman Representative Leah Sankaire called for a speedy resolution, while Kuria West MP Mathias Robi said preliminary assessments indicate concerns over documentation by the parties claiming ownership.

Committee chairperson Joash Nyamache said the team had been handling the petition for the past three months and that the Miwani meeting was part of public participation. He added that the committee would retreat after the hearings to prepare a comprehensive report with recommendations to ensure justice is done for this community.