Gachagua warns buyers of affordable houses in Ongata Rongai of eviction
By Kenneth Mwenda, August 31, 2025Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua has warned Kenyans against investing in the 2,000 affordable housing units currently under construction in Ong’ata Rongai, claiming the development sits on land belonging to the Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA).
Speaking during a Sunday service at PCEA Ongata Rongai Church, on August 31, 2025, the former Deputy President accused President William Ruto’s administration of forcibly taking over a 152-acre piece of land in Kajiado that had originally been entrusted to the church by the community.
“Kwa hivyo tukiona ile ambayo inatendeka hapa, the attempt to grab land belonging to PCEA Kajiado ambayo in 152 acres ilipeanwa na community to be trustees of the community. Hatutaki serikali ambayo iliingia katika uongozi kupitia maombi, it cannot be the same government can come and unilaterally grab land belonging to the church. It’s unacceptable,” Gachagua said.
He cautioned that the project was not what it seemed, warning that the houses being marketed as affordable were in reality commercial properties.
“Na hizo nyumba zinataka kujengwa, they are not affordable houses, they are commercial houses. And we want to be very fair and kind, to unsuspecting investors who have been told to buy those two thousand houses in advance. Msipoteze pesa yenu,” he told congregants.
Gachagua further vowed that if his party forms the next government in 2027, he would reclaim the disputed land and restore it to the church.
“Tunaenda uchaguzi 2027, there will be a new government. Kama hii shamba serikali itachukua na nguvu, hiyo shamba tukiingia tutairegesha kwa kanisa ya PCEA. Na wewe kama umenunua hizo manyumba utapoteza pesa yako,” he warned.
Water, not housing, priority
He also stressed that the PCEA, as trustees of the land, would eventually reclaim the property and could collect rent from the same houses buyers were being encouraged to purchase.
“If you bought the houses, you will incur losses because PCEA will take those houses and collect their rent,” he said.
The outspoken politician also criticised the government’s priorities, saying the most urgent needs of Ong’ata Rongai, Ngong, Kiserian and Matasia residents were water and sewerage, not housing.
“Nigetaka serikali isikize wananchi wa area hii… The challenge of this area is not houses, it’s water and sewage,” Gachagua added.
The contested project in Gataka, near the Oloolaiser Water Plant, is part of the government’s Boma Yangu affordable housing initiative. Nairobi Metropolitan Regional Director Don Kagicha previously confirmed that the Ksh5.2 billion development would deliver 2,000 units, including studios and one to three-bedroom apartments.
Kagicha also noted that priority would be given to nearby schools through the construction of social amenities. In addition, three boreholes and a sewer system are expected to be developed to support the new housing units.