South B Member of County Assembly (MCA), Waithera Chege, has made a strong commitment to reclaim public land in her constituency, warning land grabbers who have been encroaching on parcels of land that belong to the residents. Speaking during an end-of-year thanksgiving service held in South B, the MCA emphasized her determination to ensure that all illegally grabbed public lands are returned to the rightful owners.
In her remarks, Waithera Chege highlighted the growing concern over land grabbers working in collaboration with fraudsters to illegally acquire public land. “Nobody is bigger than the residents of South B. We will fight to protect public land from being grabbed, and I am putting on notice the land grabbers. All grabbed public lands must be returned,” the MCA declared. Her statement signals the beginning of a larger campaign against the illegal acquisition of land, underscoring her commitment to safeguarding the interests of the South B residents.
Chege’s remarks follow an increasing trend of land encroachment in various parts of Nairobi, which has sparked concern among local leaders and residents alike. Public land in South B, as in other parts of the city, has been at risk of being illegally taken over by individuals and entities working through fraudulent means. This has become a persistent issue that threatens the integrity of local communities, as public spaces, including parks, schools, and recreational areas, are under threat.
The MCA pledged that, under her leadership, she would not rest until all grabbed land was reclaimed. “As long as I am the Member of County Assembly here, all grabbed public lands must be returned to the area residents,” Waithera Chege asserted. This bold pledge is reflective of her desire to ensure that the community, which has long struggled with land disputes, can finally enjoy the full benefits of their publicly owned resources. Her comments also reflect the broader frustration among local leaders and the public over the misuse of public land in Nairobi.
Additionally, Waithera Chege has urged the Ministry of Lands to take a more active role in securing public land against encroachment and fraud. She called for the Ministry to collaborate with local leaders and stakeholders to ensure that public land is protected from illegal occupation and redistribution. The Ministry of Lands, led by Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome, has recently taken a firmer stance on addressing land grabbing, echoing Chege’s call for stronger enforcement of land laws.
Just a week earlier, CS Wahome issued a stern warning to land grabbers during a visit to the Manguo wetland in Nyahururu sub-county. She warned that individuals engaged in the illegal acquisition of land, especially those involved in producing fake title deeds, would face the full force of the law. Wahome stated, “It does not matter how long the land has been grabbed; we will recover what belongs to the government.” The CS also highlighted the alarming cases of land grabbers targeting public facilities such as police stations, further underscoring the urgency of the issue.
Furthermore, CS Wahome assured the public that the government was taking steps to curb the problem of land encroachment. As part of its efforts, the government has started issuing title deeds to public schools, which have long been vulnerable to encroachment. Wahome also directed land registrars to facilitate the process, ensuring that such properties are protected from future illegal occupation.
The actions of both Waithera Chege and CS Alice Wahome represent a united front in the fight against land grabbing, and their efforts will hopefully pave the way for a more secure and equitable land distribution system. As the new year begins, it is clear that public land protection will be a top priority for both local and national government officials, with strong measures in place to address the growing concern of land grabbing in Kenya.
