Nairobi County Govt demolishes 2-storey building on grabbed land
By Alvin.Mwangi, August 5, 2023The Nairobi county government has demolished a building situated on land that has been alleged to be grabbed by the Member of County Assembly (MCA) representing Eastleigh Airbase Ward.
The building was demolished under tight security provided by a heavy police contingent to prevent looting of the salvaged property.
Construction of building
The demolition comes after construction of the two-storey unfinished structure was done despite opposition from environmentalists and the county health centre management.
It has been alleged that the ward representative, under the pretext of establishing his office, intended to convert the building into his personal property—a residential house.
According to the letter to the Kamukunji sub-county Ministry of Health, dated December 28, 2022, Eastleigh Health Center sought intervention following the demolition of old structures at the facility to establish a new building.
Nairobi County Build, Environment and Urban Planning sector rolled out a development plan to help deter land grabbing, evict land grabbers from public properties and regulate on encroachment of buildings.
All developers within the county are required to submit drawings to the physical planning sector for approval, stream revenue and promote authentication of properties before proceeding with construction.
Surrender of grabbed property
Last year, those who grabbed properties belonging to the county were told to voluntarily surrender them before forced repossession.
The county has intensified efforts to repossess illegally acquired public properties.
The demolition will be a litmus test to both national and county governments that have for decades been accused of abetting land grabbing.