Tensions have flared in Narok County following a controversial court ruling that awarded a disputed 4,000-acre piece of community land to Livingstone Kunini, the brother of Narok Governor Patrick Ntutu.
Angry residents took to the streets, decrying the decision, which they argue undermines their long-standing claim to the land. Protesters accused the government of facilitating land dispossession, with some leaders condemning the ruling as an act of land grabbing.
Renowned land rights activist and former Senate aspirant, Meitamei Ololdapash, alias Shaamba, has strongly criticized Governor Ntutu’s remarks on the ruling, arguing that they disregard the community’s rightful ownership of the land.
Ololdapash accused the county leadership of turning a blind eye to historical injustices and prioritizing personal interests over public welfare.
“On this one, the government is wrong we shall not allow an indivudual to disinherit entire maa nation, Vita imeanza rasmi , I’m in” he said.
The ruling has reignited a long-standing legal battle over the land, which was previously declared part of the Maasai Mara National Reserve.
In 2018, the Supreme Court nullified a Court of Appeal ruling that had granted Livingstone Ntutu ownership of the land, arguing that the title’s legality had not been properly established.
The dispute dates back to 1984 when the defunct County Council of Narok granted Ntutu and his company, Ol Kiombo Limited, a 33-year lease to operate hospitality services for tourists. However, the lease was revoked in 1992, and the land was gazetted as part of the national reserve.
A protracted legal battle ensued, with Ntutu successfully reclaiming the land in 2005 through a consent order signed with the county council. In 2014, the High Court revoked the consent and returned the land to the county government. However, the Court of Appeal overturned that decision, reinstating ownership to Ntutu, prompting the county to seek redress at the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court eventually ruled in favor of Narok County, stating that the Court of Appeal erred by reinstating the land to Ntutu without determining the validity of the title. The case was referred to the Environment and Land Court for further deliberation.
With the latest ruling sparking fresh outrage, local leaders have vowed to challenge the decision, insisting that the land belongs to the Maasai community. Protesters have called on the government to intervene and ensure justice is served.
