No Demolitions- Sakaja Assures Njiru Residents Over Kirima Land

Sakaja allayed fears of looming demolitions, indicating that he has been in ongoing talks with the Kirima family - the legitimate owners of the property - to prevent the demolition of homes.

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Dec 14, 2023 - 13:03
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No Demolitions- Sakaja Assures Njiru Residents Over Kirima Land
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja speaking at the closing of the inaugural Kenya Industrialization Conference at The University of Nairobi on November 22, 2023. /JOHNSON SAKAJA

Nairobi Governor, Johnson Sakaja has assured residents of the disputed land in East Riverside Drive in Njiru, Nairobi owned by the late Billionaire Gerishon Kirima, that they will not have their property demolished.

Speaking during an interview with Radio Citizen, Sakaja allayed fears of looming demolitions, indicating that he has been in ongoing talks with the Kirima family - the legitimate owners of the property - to prevent the demolition of homes.

"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.

An image of the Kirima Land in Njiru, Nairobi. /NTV

"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.'

The county boss further highlighted a collaborative effort between the county and the national government to prevent a scenario of the property being demolished after the Environment and Land Court on Tuesday, October 24 gave the unregistered occupants of a parcel of land estimated to be worth Ksh5 billion 70 days to vacate or face evictions on January 1, 2024.

Thousands of families living on the 1,000-acre land belonging to the late Kirima were staring at evictions after a court ruled in favour of the former MP’s family.

"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 added.

Sakaja also cautioned against politicizing the land row, arguing that it was worsening the matter which is supposed to be handled legally.

The disputed land stretches on both sides of Kangundo Road and touches three constituencies, Kasarani, Embakasi East and Embakasi Central.

According to a judgment delivered by Justice S. Okong’o regarding the disputed land, 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, 2023, Lands Cabinet Secretary (CS) Alice Wahome announced that the government will not be involved in the land dispute pitting the Kirima family and Njiru residents, asserting that the court ruling on the matter is final, with land records showing that 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.

A photo of the late billionaire Gerishon Kirima. /CAPITAL GROUP

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