More than 300 squatters in Segera ward, Laikipia county, are protesting what they describe as years of harassment and forced evictions.
The protests followed claims that 25 acres they have occupied for decades was allegedly grabbed by a prominent rancher.
The residents claim they have lived on the land for more than 30 years, insisting it is public land that previously hosted an Anti-Stock Theft Unit camp before the police base was relocated.
"We have lived here since 1996. Every time our houses are demolished, we are left wondering where we are supposed to go. Are our children expected to keep growing up as squatters forever?" resident Asri Mohamed asked.
The squatters say their problems only began recently after the rancher, who also owns vast tracts of land in the neighbourhood, claimed ownership of the land and sought to evict them.
They are now questioning how what they insist is public land was converted into private property without the knowledge or participation of the local community.
According to residents, police officers from the nearby Ngareng'iro police station recently descended on the settlement and demolished several houses while carrying out an eviction exercise.
One of their colleagues was arrested during the operation and later arraigned in a Nanyuki court, where he is facing trespass charges.
Another resident, Abdi Godana, said generations of his family have lived on the disputed land, maintaining they have always known it as government property.
"My father was a squatter, I became a squatter, my children are squatters and now even my grandchildren are growing up as squatters. This has been public land for as long as we can remember," he said.
Godana said the land still contains public amenities, including a borehole and watering points used by residents and livestock, arguing that such facilities demonstrate its public status.
He also claimed the eviction was carried out even though the matter is still in court, with the next hearing scheduled for September.
Laikipia East subcounty police commander Daniel Kitavi confirmed that police officers took part in the eviction, maintaining the land is privately owned.
However, Kitavi said questions regarding how ownership of the land changed hands could only be answered by officials from the Ministry of Lands.
The squatters are now appealing to the national government to intervene, halt further evictions and establish the ownership status of the land, saying they have nowhere else to relocate.
