Standoff as Canon Apollo School land ownership dispute erupts

Parents of Canon Apolo Primary School in Mbotela, Nairobi, are protesting what they claim is an unauthorized takeover of the school’s playground.

During a tense meeting, they opposed a contractor’s plan to build a perimeter wall around a field currently being developed with basketball, netball, and volleyball courts alongside a modern soccer pitch.

The parents argue that the wall would separate the school from the facility.

At the heart of the dispute is a project initially designed to benefit both the pupils and the surrounding community, now a source of contention.

It all began six months ago with the construction of a modern soccer field, complete with a turf. Soon after, additional developments followed, including the ongoing construction of spectator stands, changing rooms, and washrooms to enhance accessibility to the facility.

However, tensions rose when soil excavation began for a perimeter wall—one separating nearby homes from the school and another dividing classrooms from the pitch. Adding to the controversy, pupils will have to use an underground passage to access the field.

Concerns over the project’s impact led the school management to call an urgent meeting with parents on Wednesday.

"Question ni wanataka kuweka perimeter wall and a different gate. We want to understand, are the parents involved? Do they know? Does the community know? Was vetting done? Because there is no written document ya kuprove to parents ya kwamba kumekuwa na certain meetings that zime end up to these projects being installed,” said a Canon Apolo parent, John Omuka.

"Our concern is kutaka kujua huu uwanja ni wa shule ama private field, na kama ni private field watoto wataishi aje bila uwanja? Bodi haijahusishwa kwa hizi vitu zote zinaendelea, hiyo ni kitu wazazi mnafaa muwe mkijua. Hatujawahi kaa chini na yule mtu anafund hii kitu."

During the tense meeting, police officers from Makongeni Police Station were deployed to prevent clashes between parents and community members backing the project.

Supporters argue the development will benefit both pupils and the wider community.

"Tukaona kati ya shule na kiwanja kunakuwanga na jam ya watu kuingia shule ovyo ovyo. Tukasema wacha kuwekwe perimeter wall ndio saa zile shughuli za shule zinaendelea watu wanaingia huko wanatokea huko. Na hakuna mtu amesema hii kiwanja ikijengwa watoto wetu hawatachezea hapa, lakini lazima kuwe na mikakati ya shule na sisi ndio community isipigane na shule,” a Mobotela resident, Eric Otieno, stated.

Makongeni MCA Peter Imwatok however dismissed claims that the playing field had been grabbed, confirming that the project is funded under the Ward Development Fund.

He emphasized that the initiative was driven by community demand for modern sports facilities, including soccer, basketball, netball, and volleyball courts. Imwatok clarified that the perimeter wall is intended to secure the field, not to alienate the school.

"Hakuna uwanja imegrabbiwa hata an inch. We are just securing uwanja kutoka kwa private entity kuwa public entity. Ule contractor amekuwa pale ameibiwa kila siku, watu wanaruka kwa fence wakiingia, na tumesema lazima tusecure hiyo place. Hata it is part of securing shule, shule imeng’ang’ana na wizi. Tutaweka perimeter wall na tuweke electric fence ndio hiyo uwanja ikuwe secure, hata mkicheza usiku,” MCA Imwatok said.

The MCA insists that the school management has been involved in the project from the start.

Meanwhile, police have halted all construction at the field until all concerns are addressed and pupils' safety is guaranteed.