In a major victory for the Nairobi County Government, a piece of land that had been grabbed within the Eastleigh Airbase Ward has been reclaimed. After months of dispute over ownership, Governor Johnson Sakaja's team oversaw the demolition of an unfinished structure that had been built on the contested land.
The land in question had originally been sought by the local Member of the County Assembly (MCA), Mr Fuad Hussein Mohammed, for the establishment of his office. Interestingly, this land also housed the Eastleigh Health Center. Last December, the Health Centre had requested intervention from the County Urban Planning sector to demolish old structures and make way for a new building intended to serve as the MCA's office.
Complaints from the Eastleigh Airbase Residents' lobby and other community members highlighted concerns about land grabbing and lack of transparency. The community expressed their determination to protect public land even with their lives, stating that they had information suggesting that the MCA had ulterior motives to construct commercial property on land designated for a hospital. The lack of proper public participation and consultation with local administration and community groups was also lamented.
In response to the demolition, Mr Fuad attributed it to personal differences with Governor Sakaja. He claimed that the action was a result of his demands for accountability from the governor's office and all County Executive Committee Members. Fuad expressed his refusal to be silenced, vowing to expose what he perceived as impunity.
With the successful repossession of the land, Nairobi County's Building, Environment, and Urban Planning sector emphasized its commitment to combating land grabbing. A development plan has been introduced to evict land grabbers from public properties and regulate building encroachments.
This victory is seen as a significant step towards ensuring transparency and accountability in land use and ownership within Nairobi County. The demolition serves as a reminder that the government is determined to protect public land and prioritize the needs of the community.
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In conclusion, the Nairobi County Government's demolition of the structure built on grabbed land in Eastleigh signifies a success in the fight against land grabbing and reinforces the importance of community involvement in decision-making processes.
