Storm over alleged land grabbing tussle pitting a Kiambu MP, MCA earmarked for market in South B, Nairobi
A storm is blowing over a disputed land in Nairobi’s South B area valued over Sh200million pitting a Kiambu county based Member of Parliament (MP) and South B Ward Member of County Assembly (MCA) Waithira Chege with the latter accusing the former for allegedly grabbing public land earmarked for market and public commercial use.
Although the matter is in court, addressing the media yesterday, Waithera said some individuals including former a former MP from Nairobi county are mobilizing youths to cause violence over the matter and has since informed the police.
She also said the dispute in court supersedes the value a magistrate court can handle since the controversial property is valued at Sh200million.
Waithera called upon the Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome to withdraw police officers manning public land grabbed by private people in the South B area of Nairobi.
Waithera is also the Nairobi County Assembly Deputy Minority Leader.
The Deputy Minority Leader for the Nairobi assembly has vowed not to allow former Members of parliament (MP) nor a sitting MP to cause chaos in her ward.
“I am not going to allow land grabbers to cause chaos and mayhem in Nairobi South. I am calling upon the police protocols led by Inspector General Japhet Koome to withdraw officers manning the public space.” She said.
“I will not allow whether a sitting MP or former to disturb the peace of Nairobi South residents.” She added.
The leader indicated that she has informed Nairobi Regional Commander Adamson Bungei and the Deputy Inspector General of Police of people organizing violence in her Ward.
Waithera said a letter from the Nairobi county government confirms the land belongs to the public and that the county moved with speed to revoke title deeds given to private people.
In October 2023, the Nairobi City County Assembly Committee on Planning tabled a report to ensure Nairobi South residents have their Makuti market land approving the cancellation of the title deed of a private developer who had grabbed the land.
Documents presented to the committee by the Urban Planning and Built Environment CEC were proven fake.
It was established that the documents which the CEC had come with were fake as they indicated they were signed by a sitting mayor in 2014 whereas in 2014 there was no Mayor as Nairobi had a Governor.
The documents indicated that the land was acquired illegally and the Title needed to read Nairobi City County.
The grabbed land had been set aside to establish a modern market as per the manifesto of governor Sakaja.
Previously, the Residents of South B estate in Nairobi staged a peaceful demonstration to oppose a private developer’s plan to take over public land.
In August, they demolished the fence that had been erected around the land thwarting the first attempt of the developer proceeding with their development.
On August 10, 2023, they filed a petition through their area MCA to ensure the land is not grabbed.
The Informer Media Group can now authoritatively reveal that the said land has now attracted former members of parliament in Nairobi who are organizing for violence and paying goons to cause mayhem.
Nairobi South MCA who has been vocal on the issue has said the residents of his ward have rights and freedom as per the 2010 constitution not to be subjected to violence by either private or public sources.
“I want to remind them that as per article 29 of the 2010 constitution, every Kenyan has a right not to be subjected to violence by either private or private people.” Waithera stated.
Documents seen by the Informer Media Group indicate that in December 4, 2018, the land was transferred to a private developer, John Machua Waithaka currently an MP in Kiambu County but Nairobi County has never approved constructions to take place on the land.
The 0.7131 acres slightly below an acre which is an open space was set aside by the then County Council for public commercial use (market and shops.)
A counsel representing the residents moved to court to file a preliminary objection to the case being heard by the magistrate as the land valuing indicates the land is worth Sh200 million hence the magistrate lacks the jurisdiction to hear the matter.
