MCA Kimani Wanjohi Condemns Alleged Land Grabbing in Shauri Estate, Vows to Defend Public Land

Photo/Achieng Kemuma

  A heated land dispute is unfolding in Shauri Estate as Huruma Ward Member of County Assembly (MCA) Hon. Kimani Wanjohi raises the alarm over what he described as systematic attempts to grab land set aside for public use.

Speaking passionately during a public participation forum convened to address concerns over public utilities in the estate, MCA Wanjohi accused land speculators, rogue officials, and individuals from outside the area of trying to exploit the community by encroaching on land earmarked for development under the Kenya Informal Settlements Improvement Project Phase 2 (KISIP 2).

“Shauri Estate has very few public utilities — not more than two or three,” said Wanjohi. “Now, even those are under threat. We have seen people, especially those associated with a group calling itself ‘Legacy’, trying to acquire the remaining public land. That is unacceptable.”

Interference by Outsiders

Wanjohi revealed that a meeting held last week to consult landlords and workers within Shauri Estate on the matter of land use and ownership was disrupted by individuals he claims were brought in from Soi, a neighboring area.

“We came to meet landlords and workers in Shauri, but instead, people were ferried in from Soi — young men who came not to dialogue, but to sing and chant, clearly with the aim of intimidating us,” Wanjohi stated.

He suggested that the group was hired to create a scene and derail the public forum from achieving its goal of inclusive, peaceful discussions around land use and planning.

History of Land Invasion

The MCA further claimed that previous leadership had allowed portions of public land to be grabbed, which emboldened others to attempt the same.

“The MCA before me unfortunately allowed several parcels of public utility land to be taken over. After his passing, some people assumed that Shauri was vulnerable and that they could continue grabbing land unchallenged,” he said. “But I am here now. I fed these people, and I know what they need. I will not allow an inch of public land to be taken.”

He emphasized his commitment to not only recovering lost land but also ensuring no further encroachments happen under his watch.

Strong Words for Government Officials

In a bold move, Hon. Wanjohi publicly criticized specific local government officials for what he termed as collusion with land grabbers. He singled out the Deputy Assistant County Commissioner (ACC) of Turbo Sub-County, accusing her of overstepping her mandate and siding with private individuals to facilitate illegal land transfers.

“That Deputy ACC came here not to help us, but to protect land grabbers,” he charged. “That’s not her job. Her job is to maintain order and uphold the law, not to meet secretly with those trying to rob the community.”

The MCA demanded that any land issues be handled transparently through the relevant legal and administrative channels such as the Ministry of Lands, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).

 “If there's a dispute, we have the Ministry of Lands. If it’s fraud, take it to the DCI. If it’s corruption, take it to EACC. But don’t come here commanding local chiefs to validate illegal land ownership,” he said.

Photo/Achieng Kemuma

 

KISIP 2 Project in Jeopardy

Wanjohi warned that the ongoing dispute could jeopardize the implementation of the KISIP 2 project in Shauri Estate. The project, aimed at upgrading informal settlements through infrastructure improvement, relies on the availability of public land for roads, drainage, public spaces, and community facilities.

“There’s a reason this land is under two official maps,” he explained. “This is land designated for public development. If we lose it, Shauri loses everything — no roads, no playgrounds, no social amenities. The whole project collapses.”

He added that the potential loss of land not only affects the estate's development prospects but also risks triggering inter-community conflict and resistance if the government fails to intervene decisively.

Call for Peace and Vigilance

Despite the rising tensions, MCA Wanjohi urged residents to remain peaceful and law-abiding even as they stand firm in defending their community’s rights.

“Let me be clear — we are not looking for violence. But we are demanding justice. The land in Shauri belongs to the people, and we will not allow it to be taken by force, fraud, or intimidation,” he said. “We are here to protect what is rightfully ours.”

Photo/Achieng Kemuma

 

He also called on residents to remain vigilant, urging them to report suspicious activities or attempted land grabs to the appropriate authorities, rather than taking matters into their own hands.

Residents Speak Out

Many residents attending the meeting expressed their support for the MCA's stance, saying that they have long feared losing the few remaining open spaces in the estate.“We’ve seen our playgrounds turned into private homes, our roads blocked by walls, and even drainage lines built over,” said one resident. “We are glad the MCA is finally speaking up. We need development, not more grabbing.”

 Hon. Wanjohi issued a firm warning to those eyeing land in Shauri Estate:“This land is ours. It belongs to the people. As long as I serve as the MCA for Huruma Ward and Shauri, no one will take it. We are watching, we are organized, and we are ready to defend our estate with the law on our side.”