Kakuzi denies claims of blocking public roads in Murang'a

Kakuzi PLC.[File, Standard]

Kakuzi PLC has responded to accusations levelled against it following protests held by residents of Makuyu over delayed resettlement.

In a statement, the fruit processing company clarified that there are several groups claiming the same piece of land, including the area at Gachagi.

"Regarding allegations that Kakuzi has closed public roads, this allegation is untrue, as has been established by the Environmental and Land Court in Murang'a, Petition No 3 of 2018," managing director Chris Flowers stated.

The clarification comes days after residents of Makuyu in Maragua subcounty, Murang'a county, took to the streets to protest against the company's failure to resettle squatters on its land.

The families originally belonged to elderly workers of the company, whom the board of management allegedly agreed to resettle as a way of compensating them for working on its farm for years.

Additionally, the squatters had long been agitating for resettlement since 2004 and formed a committee that started engaging the company on the matter.

At least 10 families were resettled on one-acre plots in 2018, leaving a dozen others in the camp.

Kakuzi has emphasised that it is still before the courts, leaving no one with the right to take the law into their own hands.

"No one individual makes decisions on behalf of Kakuzi PLC as has been alleged," Flower added.

Further, the company had formed an independent head of mechanism to investigate grievances and provide remedies for breaches of the squatters.

Many other families were resettled in areas such as Gathungururu, Thangira, Mwambu, Ngaatho, Ithanga and other villages, with some getting as much as four acres each, as Gachagi squatters waited for their turn.

Area MP Mary Wamaua, who accompanied the squatters, vowed to ensure protests are held every week until the company adheres to their grievances.

She said she has been part of efforts to resettle the squatters and has attended about six meetings at the company's offices.

Meanwhile, during an empowerment programme in Murang'a on Friday, DP Kithure Kindiki, addressing the area MP's request, promised to build houses for the squatters living in deplorable conditions in Kakuzi land.

Kakuzi PLC is a listed company with approximately 1,400 shareholders and a Board of 9 Directors.

Over the last five years, Kakuzi has been on a journey to embed the UN Guiding Principles of Business and Human Rights into our operations.