Sakaja says Njiru houses will not be demolished after talks with Kirima family

Sakaja has allayed the fear, saying there have been ongoing talks with the Kirima family - the legitimate owners of the property - to prevent the demolition of homes.

"It is just that the government cannot buy the land. But the Kirima family is willing to negotiate with the families so they can pay slowly," Sakaja stated in an interview on Radio Citizen. 

The governor pointed out a collaborative effort between the county and the national government, to prevent demolitions after court ordered evictions from the 1000 acre land owned by the late Gerishon Kirima. 

"We will agree as to who pays for the land, is it us, or the families? But demolition is not an option. I do not want people to go for Christmas worried that their property will be destroyed," he said.

" I know the order said on 31st Dec. We will not allow that. There has to be a better way," Sakaja declared, aligning his sentiments with his signature slogan, 'lazima iwork.'

Sakaja also cautioned against politicizing the issue, stressing that it was a legal matter.

"Those politicizing the land row are making it worse. This is a legal issue, and politics have no hand in the matter," he asserted.

The thousands of residents of Njiru, Chokaa and Mihang’o areas in Nairobi have been distressed lot following a judgment by the Environment and Land Court ordering them out of close to 1,000 acres of land owned by the late politician who passed on in December 2010.

In a judgment delivered by Justice S. Okong’o, those occupying the land have up to December 31, 2023 to vacate or be evicted from the property by Kirima Estate administrators.

The judgment was a culmination of a long protracted court battle between the administrators and residents who acquired the property through self-help groups.

On November 21 Lands Cabinet Secretary (CS) Alice Wahome said the government will not be involved in the land dispute pitting the Kirima family and Njiru residents.

Addressing the media in her office in Nairobi, Wahome said the court ruling on the matter that gave residents of East Riverside Drive in Njiru until December 31 is final and land records have proven the title still belongs to the Kirima family.

The CS has previously said the government would not mediate in the dispute to avoid possible evictions of residents and instead urged the settlers to negotiate with the Kirima family or leave as per the court order that was issued.