Residents of Loresho and Kitisuru in Nairobi staged a protest on Tuesday against the alleged illegal grabbing of land belonging to the Loresho Police Post. The protest, spearheaded by local leaders, including Westlands MP Tim Wanyonyi, has garnered widespread attention due to the accusations of displacing several police families, who were left stranded after their homes were demolished to make way for private developments.
The protest took a decisive turn when members of Generation Z, alongside other local residents, tore down a perimeter wall that had been hastily constructed on the three-acre piece of land in question. Demonstrators, frustrated by the alleged encroachment, marched to the police post demanding immediate action against the purported land grabber.
The land, which is considered public property, has long been associated with the Loresho Police Post, and the displacement of the police families has intensified public anger. Many feel that their rights as a community have been blatantly disregarded.
MP Tim Wanyonyi Condemns the Land Grab
MP Tim Wanyonyi, who joined his constituents during the protest, strongly condemned the incident, emphasizing his commitment to protecting public land from unlawful seizures. Speaking to the demonstrators, Wanyonyi challenged the individual allegedly behind the land grab to present legitimate documents proving ownership and to engage with the community transparently.
“This is public land, and whoever is laying claim to this property should come openly and face the community,” Wanyonyi said. “Whoever is laying claim should show us bona fide documents. If that is not the case, we will know the person is a fraud, and we will not allow that. In Westlands, we are going to protect any space that belongs to the public.”
The MP also called for a public notice board to be placed on the land, displaying detailed information on any legitimate development projects that might be underway. According to Wanyonyi, this would serve as a sign of transparency and openness, ensuring that public land is not misused or claimed without consultation with the community.
Criticism of Police Involvement
In a scathing rebuke, Wanyonyi criticized certain police officers for allegedly shielding the individual responsible for the illegal eviction of the police families. The MP argued that law enforcement should be protecting public property and community members, not aiding or abetting criminal activities.
“There are some officers who are complicit in these acts, and they need to remember that their duty is to serve and protect the public, not those attempting to steal from the community,” Wanyonyi added.
Local Leaders and Residents Stand United
Local leaders and residents were vocal in their support of the protest, emphasizing their right to defend public land. Jeff Luseno, a prominent community member from Loresho, expressed his gratitude to MP Wanyonyi for standing in solidarity with the residents and taking a strong stance against the land grab.
“We thank our MP for standing with the community. This land belongs to the Kangemi and Loresho communities. We’ve seen people coming here and throwing families out of their homes in the middle of the night. We are delighted with the Gen Z youth who have actively defended this public land,” said Luseno.
Luseno further challenged the individual responsible for the land seizure to come forward and explain how they acquired public land and changed its use without any form of public consultation. He expressed concerns over the growing trend of land grabbing in Westlands and called for the immediate return of the land to the community.
Echoing Luseno’s sentiments, Ndungu Njiru, a resident of Kitisuru, called for stronger measures to prevent future occurrences of land grabbing. Njiru pointed out that the alleged use of hired goons to evict the police families had only added fuel to the outrage, sparking a broader conversation about the need for accountability in such cases.
Conclusion
As the protest continues to gain momentum, it is clear that the residents of Loresho and Kitisuru are committed to protecting their community from land grabbers. MP Tim Wanyonyi’s involvement has strengthened their resolve, and the demonstration has sent a clear message that the unlawful seizure of public land will not go uncontested. The community awaits further developments, hoping that justice will be served and their rights upheld.
