Residents of Mutha Ward in Kitui South Constituency have strongly opposed any plans to evict them from their ancestral land, as leaders and parliamentary committees intensified efforts to resolve a long-standing dispute with the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS).
The concerns came to the fore during a public participation forum held in Mutha on Friday, led by the National Assembly Lands Committee chaired by Kitui West MP Edith Nyenze. The session brought together local leaders, national officials, and residents, who voiced frustration over what they described as continued encroachment and threats of displacement.
Mutha MCA Dominic Mwamisi was present as residents spoke in one voice, firmly declaring they would not vacate their land under any circumstances. They insisted that KWS must confine its operations within its legally gazetted 1,133 square kilometers and respect the community’s 700 square kilometers of ancestral land. The residents further demanded recognition of their land rights, protection from forced evictions, and dignity in the handling of the matter.
Kitui South MP Rachael Nyamai backed the community’s position, strongly condemning any form of forced evictions. She assured residents of her commitment to defend their rights and pursue justice for those already displaced.
Earlier in the day, Dr. Nyamai joined members of the National Assembly Public Petitions Committee, KWS officials, and county authorities in a consultative meeting at the County Commissioner’s office in Kitui Town before proceeding to Mutha for a site visit.
The fact-finding mission follows a formal petition—Public Petition No. 29 of 2025—filed over alleged encroachment on community land, an issue that has significantly affected residents of Mutha Ward. Leaders accompanying the delegation emphasized the urgency of finding a fair, transparent, and lasting solution.
“I remain committed to ensuring that the voices of Kitui South are heard and that our community gets the justice it deserves,” Dr. Nyamai stated.
The parliamentary inquiry is expected to guide recommendations on how to balance wildlife conservation efforts with the protection of community land rights and livelihoods, as pressure mounts for a resolution that satisfies both conservation goals and the needs of local residents.
