NAIROBI,Kenya Aug 6 – Residents of Runda Estate in Nairobi have renewed their push to reclaim what they say is a grabbed public piece of land.
The residents, who gathered at the disputed parcel earlier today, alleged that government agencies may have played a role in the alleged land grab.
The Chairman of the Runda Estate Residents Association, Chris Gitonga, said their efforts to reclaim the land have so far borne no fruit. He claimed they had gathered intelligence indicating that the alleged grabber plans to construct a multi-storey building on the site, a move he said would overwhelm the area’s drainage system and compromise the estate’s planning regulations.
“We’re here to condemn and make it clear to the public that this land has been grabbed. We do not want a development of such magnitude to come up here,” he said.
His sentiments were echoed by another resident, Agatha Kagia, who warned that allowing the proposed development would set a dangerous precedent.
“Putting up such a tall building is not only against the regulations, but it also opens the door for others who may want to construct skyscrapers in an area with well-established building height restrictions,” she said.
The residents also expressed concern that development on the land, which includes a dam, would disrupt the ecosystem and displace aquatic life.
Area MCA Kamau Thuo Biu ni Biu, who attended the meeting, vowed not to allow the grabbing of the eight-acre parcel. He said the fight to protect the land has been ongoing and that residents would not relent until it is reclaimed.
“We were here last year, and even if it means coming back tomorrow, the day after, or even next year, we will not be deterred. We will stop at nothing until we reclaim the land that was set aside for a school,” he said.
Embakasi East MP and Nairobi gubernatorial aspirant Babu Owino also pledged to support the residents in their efforts to reclaim the land. He cited a similar case determined by a Mombasa court, where land that had allegedly been grabbed was restored to public ownership.
“The court ruled that it does not matter whose name is on the title or how many times ownership has changed. The government is merely the custodian of the documents on behalf of the public, who are the rightful owners of the land,” he said, adding that land grabbing has become a widespread problem in the country.
He further called for all agencies involved to be held accountable, demanding that any approvals issued for the proposed development be revoked.
“The Water Resources Authority must immediately withdraw its approval. The Nairobi City County Government should revoke all approvals it has issued. NEMA and all the other relevant agencies must also withdraw their approvals and make that decision public,” he said.