Dispute Over Land Sparks Tensions in Nairobi's South B

Allegations of Land Grabbing and Potential Violence Heighten Concerns Among Residents

Tensions are escalating in Nairobi’s South B area as a dispute over a piece of land valued at over Sh200 million has ignited a fierce conflict between local politicians and community members, raising concerns of potential violence and highlighting broader issues of land ownership and public interest.

The contentious issue revolves around allegations of land grabbing, with Kiambu County-based Member of Parliament (MP) and South B Ward Member of County Assembly (MCA) Waithira Chege accusing unnamed individuals, including a former Nairobi County MP, of unlawfully claiming public land designated for market and public commercial use.

Addressing the media yesterday, MCA Waithera alleged, “Some individuals, including a former MP, are actively mobilizing youths to incite violence over the land matter. We have alerted the police about these troubling developments.”

The conflict escalated in August 2023 when a private developer reportedly dispatched individuals to demolish structures on the contested land under the cloak of darkness. “Residents were appalled by the covert demolition and promptly tore down the iron sheet fence erected around the area,” Waithera recounted.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) swiftly launched an investigation into the alleged land fraud, issuing a letter dated September 19, 2023, to the Nairobi County authorities seeking crucial documentation.

Concurrently, MCA Waithera had submitted a petition to the County Assembly Planning and Housing Committee, rallying support from over 400 South B residents. “We need a modern market that will significantly benefit our community, fostering employment, improving production quality, and enhancing consumer welfare,” she emphasized.

In response to the escalating tensions, Nairobi South B residents have appealed for restraint from politicians and law enforcement, urging them to respect the community’s wishes regarding the disputed land. “We implore external leaders to refrain from meddling in our affairs and uphold the integrity of public property,” Waithera asserted on behalf of the residents.

As the standoff continues, the South B community remains on edge, underscoring the broader issues of land ownership, public interest, and political influence in Nairobi’s urban landscape.

Quoting the sentiments of South B residents, Waithera stated, “We implore external leaders to refrain from meddling in our affairs and uphold the integrity of public property.”