Machakos women demand equal land rights: “We deserve to be on the Title Deeds”

The women want their names included on land title deeds

by GEORGE OWITI

Eastern29 April 2025 - 14:52

In Summary

The women—young and old alike—are urging both the government and their communities to break with tradition and recognise women’s right to own land.
“In most cases, when a woman is divorced or returns home after a separation, she gets no share of the property—nothing to inherit,” said Jane Syokau from Mavoko.

Women engage in consultations during a 'Haki Mtaani' engagement by Haki Nawiri Afrika at Muvuti social hall in Machakos County on April 29, 2025/ GEORGE OWITI

Women across Machakos County are speaking out against what they describe as deep-rooted land injustices, calling for an end to cultural practices that deny them ownership and inheritance rights.

Gathering from Mavoko, Machakos, Mwala, and Kathiani sub-counties, the women—young and old alike—are urging both the government and their communities to break with tradition and recognise women’s right to own land.

“The main issue we face is that land title deeds are issued in our husbands’ names. That means we have no legal claim to the property we live on,” said Miriam Muinde, a 55-year-old mother of three from Muvuti in Machakos Sub-County.

The women, who spoke to The Star between April 20 and 29, described a painful reality: that many of them are left with nothing after divorce, separation, or the death of a spouse.

“In most cases, when a woman is divorced or returns home after a separation, she gets no share of the property—nothing to inherit,” said Jane Syokau from Mavoko.

“Even children who come back to their grandparents after their mother’s death often have no land to call their own.”

Cultural practices in the region, they argue, are at the heart of the problem. In the Kamba tradition, men are typically regarded as the sole landowners.

Even women in non-traditional unions, such as those in 'maweto' relationships, where a woman marries another woman to bear children—are excluded from land inheritance.

“These women also don’t inherit land. Culture is holding us back,” said Mary Wambua from Kathiani. “We need help to claim our right to own land.”

Others, like Lydia Kioko, shared the trauma of being evicted by in-laws after a husband's death, despite years of joint investment in the property.

“If the title deed is in the husband’s name alone, we have no legal protection. When the man dies, the family can throw the widow out and sell the land,” Kioko said during a women’s forum held at Muvuti Social Hall on Tuesday.

She called for reforms requiring title deeds to be registered in both spouses' names, including for inherited land, to secure women’s futures.

The forum was hosted by Haki Nawiri Afrika, a social justice organisation working to increase access to justice through its Haki Mtaani initiative.

Leonida Odongo, founder of the organization, said they are focused on helping women navigate land ownership disputes, inheritance claims, and other legal hurdles in Machakos and other counties, including Nairobi, Siaya, and Elgeyo Marakwet.

“Many women are living on land registered to long-deceased family members. They need legal recognition through succession processes,” Odongo said.

“Through our work, we aim to help women secure their rights—not just to land, but to justice, food, and security.”

More than 130 women from across Machakos took part in the recent engagement session.

“Women shouldn’t give up,” Odongo said. “There is power in transformation, and it begins in our communities.”