A sitting Member of Parliament has been accused of attempting to forcefully taking over prime piece of public land in South B, Nairobi.
The land estimated to be Sh200 million had been set aside by the county for construction of modern market for area residents.
And now Inspector General of police Japheth Koome has been ordered to withdraw a contingent of police officers patrolling around a public land in South B, Nairobi.
Since last year, police officers have been patrolling around the prime land in dispute which a private developer has been eyeing.
In August 2023, the private developer had fenced the land with intention of starting construction on site.
This however did not materialize after irate residents brought down the fence around the land thwarting the first attempts by the developer.
In an unexpected twist, the MP obtained a court order which police have been using to bar residents from accessing the land.
Following the fierce standoff, area residents through area MCA Waithera Chege filed a petition to the County government and through Nairobi County Assembly to open an inquiry over the ownership of the land.
A report by the Assembly lands, planning and housing on a petition regarding land grabbing has revealed that it belongs to the public.
“It was confirmed to the committee that land belongs to the public and was set aside by the former County Council for public commercial use which they said was market and shops,” she added.
The committee of observations noted that the instrument of transfer signed between the County and the said developer was dated June 9, 2014.
Reportedly, the instruments bear the seal of the city council signed by the mayor, in 2014 there was no existence of mayor in Nairobi.
It also emerged that the allotment letter was issued to two patties which raised more questions.
Reportedly, the land in question has now attracted some issues including some people who are organizing violence in the area.
“I am calling upon the police protocols led by Inspector General Japhet Koome to withdraw officers manning the public space.” she stated.
The Minority leader indicated that she has already notified Nairobi Regional Commander Adamson Bungei and the Deputy Inspector General of Police of people organizing violence in her Ward.
Waithera said at the moment, the small traders in South B have no market and have been selling their items along the busy roads.
