National Assembly: Galana-Kulalu Boundary Dispute Survey Deadline Set for 2 Months

• Parliament has issued a two-month deadline, specifically November 17, 2026, for a fresh survey to resolve the Galana-Kulalu Ranch boundary dispute in Kilifi County.
• The Director of Surveys, Weldon Maritim, is tasked with leading this effort, involving ADC, NLC, Kilifi County Government, and Waata and Giriama communities.
• The dispute originated from a 2021 petition alleging irregular ranch boundary extension and encroachment on ancestral land, specifically between ADC 1 FR. 119/86 and Adu Kamale/Adu Chamari adjudication sections.
• Both the Waata and Giriama communities claim historical occupation of the land, while ADC maintains it holds the title.
• The National Assembly Committee on Implementation will review progress on November 18, following previous delays in resolving the long-standing land conflict.

The National Assembly Committee on Implementation has mandated a fresh survey to resolve the long-standing Galana-Kulalu boundary dispute, setting a two-month timeframe for the Director of Surveys to complete the exercise by November 17, 2026.

The National Assembly Committee on Implementation has mandated a fresh survey to resolve the long-standing Galana-Kulalu boundary dispute, setting a two-month timeframe for the Director of Surveys to complete the exercise by November 17, 2026. This parliamentary directive aims to definitively establish the contested boundaries of the Galana-Kulalu Ranch in Kilifi County, a process that has seen previous deadlines lapse without resolution.

Country Director of Surveys Weldon Maritim has been tasked with spearheading this critical initiative. He is directed to convene representatives from the Agricultural Development Corporation (ADC), the National Land Commission (NLC), the Kilifi County Government, and the affected Waata and Giriama communities. The committee, chaired by Budalangi MP Raphael Wanjala, emphasized the urgency of the matter, stating that the exercise must be concluded before the next elections, acknowledging that an earlier parliamentary deadline had already passed.

The directive, issued on a recent Thursday during a meeting in Malindi, underscores Parliament's commitment to expediting the resolution of this complex land issue. Kajiado Central MP Elijah Memusi reinforced this stance, urging the Director of Surveys to take decisive leadership and involve security agencies to ensure the process proceeds without disruption. The committee expects a report back on November 17, highlighting the strict adherence to the Galana-Kulalu boundary dispute survey deadline.

The current push for a definitive boundary survey stems from a petition formally presented to the National Assembly on March 11, 2021. This petition was brought forth by then-Magarini MP Michael Kingi on behalf of community landowners residing in Kilifi and Tana River counties, raising significant concerns about the Galana-Kulalu land dispute.

The core of the grievance revolves around allegations of an irregular extension of the Galana Ranch boundary and subsequent encroachment upon what the communities assert is their ancestral land. Specifically, the dispute seeks to clarify the demarcation between the Galana-Kulalu Ranch, identified as ADC 1 FR. 119/86, and the adjacent Adu Kamale and Adu Chamari adjudication sections. The Waata and Giriama communities maintain a strong ancestral land claim, asserting that their forebears historically occupied the ranching land even before the colonial period.

Previous parliamentary efforts to address this issue include a recommendation from the Lands Committee for a repeat boundary-picking exercise involving all key stakeholders. Although Parliament initially granted a six-month period for this exercise, that deadline was not met, contributing to the prolonged nature of the ADC Galana-Kulalu land dispute.

The National Assembly Committee on Implementation plays a pivotal role in ensuring that parliamentary recommendations, such as those concerning the Galana-Kulalu boundary, are acted upon. This body is now directly overseeing the Director of Surveys boundary resolution process, signaling a heightened level of scrutiny and urgency.

Members of Parliament have voiced strong opinions regarding the need for swift action. MP Raphael Wanjala stressed that the exercise must be completed before elections, reflecting a broader political will to resolve long-standing land grievances. Elijah Memusi further emphasized the seriousness of this parliamentary directive land survey, stating that Parliament is a 'House of records' and its recommendations must be implemented without delay, even suggesting the involvement of security agencies to facilitate an uninterrupted process.

This renewed focus follows concerns raised by the Committee on Implementation in 2025 regarding previous delays in implementing Parliament's recommendations on the Galana-Kulalu boundary dispute. The National Land Commission Kilifi is also a key player, expected to work collaboratively with the Director of Surveys and community representatives to achieve a peaceful and lasting resolution.

During the recent meeting in Malindi, the various parties involved in the Galana-Kulalu land dispute articulated their positions. Community representatives reiterated their conviction that the contested land forms part of their ancestral territory and expressed their willingness to cooperate fully with both the Director of Surveys and the National Land Commission to resolve the matter amicably.

Conversely, the Agricultural Development Corporation (ADC) representative affirmed the corporation's legal ownership, stating that ADC holds the title to the land. Despite this, ADC also conveyed its readiness to engage with all involved agencies and the communities to settle the stalemate concerning the boundaries of what it describes as public land. This indicates a shared, albeit distinct, commitment to participating in the resolution process.

The National Land Commission (NLC) has consistently advocated for a peaceful resolution, a sentiment echoed by Njoro MP Charity Kathambi and Mombasa Woman Representative Zamzam Mohammed, who urged the affected communities to maintain peace as the survey and resolution efforts commence. The Committee on Implementation is scheduled to revisit the matter on November 18, a day after the stipulated deadline, to assess progress on the Galana-Kulalu boundary dispute survey deadline.

Lawyers advising clients with land interests in Kilifi County, particularly those near the Galana-Kulalu Ranch, should monitor the upcoming boundary survey and resolution process. This parliamentary directive sets a precedent for expedited resolution of long-standing land disputes and may impact land titles or ancestral land claims in the region, requiring proactive engagement with the involved agencies.

Source: Original reporting via Capital News