Nyayo Estate residents protest alleged grabbing of public utility land

By Perpetua Aquila

Residents of Nyayo Estate in Embakasi on Friday took to the streets to protest what they claim is the grabbing and subdivision of public utility land in the estate.

The residents say several parcels were reserved for schools, playgrounds and other community facilities but have allegedly been diverted for private development. 

They gathered at Malaika Park, Plot 294, demanding the protection of what they say is public utility land from alleged grabbing and commercial development, claiming several parcels within the estate have been illegally taken over and subdivided, despite having been set aside for public facilities.

“Plot 817 is meant to be a public primary school; we have the map here, it is marked in yellow but what we are seeing there is not a public primary school. This land has been grabbed, this land has been subdivided and you can see construction is going on,” Nyayo Embakasi Residents Association (NERA) Chairperson Wycliff Omuya said.

The residents allege that Plot 817, which was surrendered for public use and designated for a secondary school and a three-stream primary school, has been subjected to unauthorised development.

“Officials who are the developers, the open space which remained, instead of them giving it back to the community, on their way out they are subdividing open spaces in Nyayo and selling it off,” Omuya stated.

The residents added that the illegal construction on the land goes on at night despite having an injunction from the court to stop the construction.

“We went to the OCS Embakasi Police Station and he said construction is going on at night. If the OCS knows construction is going on at night, why can't he deploy police officers to stop that construction?” Omuya added.

They also claim Malaika Park, which is designated as a playground and sports centre, is facing encroachment.

The residents say Nyayo Estate lacks adequate public primary schools, with the existing facility already overwhelmed.

“We are appealing to bring back this land for its rightful purpose. We need schools and recreational facilities here because the existing facilities are already overwhelmed,” noted Omuya.

The protesters also accused the area Member of Parliament, Babu Owino, of failing to support their cause.

“Embakasi East MP Babu Owino would go to Runda to fight their lands, but he cannot show face to our area... We want to know what kind of an MP he is. Kwani he works from Runda? This area gave him approximately 20,000 votes, so we would want to see his face and what he would like to say in regard to our land,” Nyayo Estate resident Jane Gathoko stated.

The residents are now calling on the National Social Security Fund and Nairobi County Government to investigate the alleged grabbing, recover any public land that has been illegally acquired and ensure the parcels are used for the purposes for which they were originally designated.

They also want authorities to protect them from what they describe as intimidation by individuals opposed to their campaign.