Tension in South B over disputed public land
Nairobi South Member of County Assembly (MCA) Waithera Chege has accused lawmakers of allegedly colluding with land grabbers.
The MCA further claims a private developer, who is a serving lawmaker in a neighbouring county, is planning to use goons to fence a disputed land in her ward which has been confirmed as public land.
The disputed land, which is located at the South B Shopping Centre, was initially expected to house the modern market in line with the vision by county boss Johnson Sakaja to construct 20 new modern markets.
Ms Chege now asserts this dream could be hampered by the unnamed grabbers.
“The land was set aside for commercial use, which they said was a market and shops,” the politician told Nairobi News.
In 2023, area residents, led by Ms Chege, managed to block the developer from building a business centre on the land.
When the county government’s executive (CEC) Mr Stephen Mwangi appeared before the County Assembly Committee on Lands, he confirmed the parcel in question was public land.
“My main issue is the former Members of Parliament in this county, who are planning to use our youth to come and cause chaos, violence, and mayhems…I won’t allow land grabbers to bring violence in Nairobi South.”
The MCA also claimed some police officers are being used to protect the gabbed land.
She also said that the documents that were presented by the private developer before the committee indicating how the transfer of ownership was done are in question.
According to the recommendations of the committee, the land should be reclaimed by the county government, and revoke any title deed in the hands of land grabbers.
Early this month, governor Sakaja said that one of the challenges that the county was facing was land grabbing, where individuals have claimed ownership of public lands that were supposed to house public facilities.
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