Shauri Residents Petition County Assembly Over Alleged Land Grabbing of Public Access Road

 

By Wasike Elvis 

Tension is rising in Shauri estate after residents petitioned the Uasin Gishu County Assembly over what they describe as sustained attempts by private individuals to illegally convert public access roads and utility corridors into private property, threatening access to essential services and disrupting daily life in the densely populated settlement.

Residents drawn from different sections of the estate say the disputed land has, for more than six decades, functioned as a community access route linking homes to the police station, health facilities, schools, and business centres. They argue that the land was deliberately reserved for public use when Shauri was first planned in the early 1960s.

Presenting their grievances to the assembly, long-serving resident John Karuga said the attempted takeover of the access road has caused anxiety among families who have coexisted peacefully for generations.

“We have lived here for over 60 years. These are people we grew up with. It is painful to suddenly see someone claim a community access route as private land,” Karuga said.

According to residents, the access road is particularly critical during emergencies, especially during periods of flooding that have affected parts of Shauri in recent years. They say blocking the route has made it difficult for residents to reach the nearby police station and hospital, placing vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and expectant mothers at risk.

Historical Planning and Public Use

Elder Francis Kanyuwi, whose family settled in Shauri when the estate was established, told the assembly that the original planning of the area was done with strict adherence to public utility needs.

“Our parents bought these plots around 1960. The layout clearly provided for roads, water lines, and public spaces. Everyone was allocated one plot only. No one was given extra land,” Kanyuwi said.

He questioned the legitimacy of ownership documents held by those claiming the disputed land, noting that the alleged private claims only emerged decades after the estate was settled.

“If this land belonged to anyone, their parents would have developed it then. This issue only started coming up in the 1970s and later, which raises serious questions,” he added.

Residents further claim that the disputed area has long hosted critical infrastructure, including underground water pipes, sewer lines, and electricity wayleaves belonging to the Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC), making it legally and technically unsuitable for private development.

Impact on Livelihoods and Emergency Response

Local business owners and boda boda operators say the land dispute has directly affected their ability to operate and serve the community. Clement Ochin, chairman of the boda boda association in the area, said the access road is essential for transporting people during emergencies.

“When there is a medical emergency, this is the route we use to rush patients to hospital. Blocking it is not just about land — it is about lives,” Ochin said.

He added that boda boda riders often provide the first line of emergency transport in the estate, particularly at night or during floods when vehicles cannot pass through alternative routes.

 

Infrastructure Concerns and Alleged Irregular Approvals

Residents also raised alarm over ongoing construction on the disputed land, claiming that approvals were granted despite the presence of water pipelines and high-voltage power lines.

Nancy Weiderero, who was born and raised in Shauri, said multiple water supply lines pass through the access corridor and have been used by residents for years.

“This cut-through has always been there. Water pipes run through it, and people were warned not to build here. Despite this, construction continued,” she said.

She also claimed that some of the developments were allowed to proceed even as legal disputes over the land were ongoing, a situation residents say points to possible administrative failures or collusion.

County Assembly Response

Receiving the petition, the area Member of County Assembly (MCA) said the County Assembly would thoroughly investigate the matter, stressing that public land cannot legally be converted into private property.

“The law is very clear. Once land is set aside as a public road or utility, it cannot be privatized. Any title issued in violation of this principle is void ab initio,” the MCA said.

The MCA noted that the County Assembly has oversight powers similar to those of the High Court and can summon county officials to account for their actions. He said officers from the departments of lands and physical planning, including the director of physical planning, would be required to explain how approvals were granted for construction on land reserved for public use.

He also cited previous incidents in the county where access roads and public utilities were allegedly interfered with, warning that such actions undermine urban planning and public safety.

Allegations of Police Bias and Insecurity

Residents further accused some police officers of failing to act impartially in the dispute, alleging that law enforcement had been used to intimidate community members opposing the developments.

The MCA said the allegations would be documented and forwarded to relevant oversight bodies, adding that police are required to uphold the law and protect public interest rather than private interests.

“Security officers must remain neutral. Their role is to enforce the law, not to facilitate land grabbing,” he said.

Residents also linked the land dispute to rising insecurity in the area, saying blocked access roads have made it difficult for security agencies to respond quickly to incidents.

 

Petition and Next Steps

The petition has been formally submitted to the Clerk of the Uasin Gishu County Assembly and will undergo a preliminary review to determine whether it meets the required threshold for consideration. If approved, the matter will be subjected to a public hearing, during which residents, county officials, and other stakeholders will present evidence.

Residents say they are hopeful that the process will restore public access and prevent further encroachment on community land.“We want to live together peacefully, the way we have done for generations. All we are asking is that public land remains public,” Karuga said.

The case adds to growing concerns over land grabbing and irregular approvals in urban settlements across Uasin Gishu County, with residents calling for stronger enforcement of planning laws and protection of public infrastructure.