Investigation into ownership of disputed South B market land to be handled by the Nairobi County Assembly.
Nairobi South MCA Waithera Chege presented her petition to County Assembly Speaker Kennedy Ng’ondi, paving the way for an official investigation surrounding the ownership of LR NO. 209/12612.
The petition is now before the county assembly Planning and housing committee which is chaired by Kitisuru MCA Alvin Olando Palapala.
The land in the Makuti area is said to be public land, that had been earmarked by the government for the construction of a modern market.
“That the modern market would benefit residents mostly by increasing employment opportunities, increasing quality of production, creating an environment for healthy competition and increasing consumer status,” part of the petition reads.
Early this month, a private developer allegedly took over land meant to develop the facility.
According to the petition signed by more than 400 South B residents, the people are urging the Nairobi County government and relevant stakeholders to dismantle the unauthorized structure under construction on the contested land.
The petition also wants City Hall to secure the disputed land and maintain its guardianship on behalf of the traders and the larger Nairobi community.
It also seeks the intervention of the National Land Commission (NLC) and relevant organizations to provide the county with the necessary deed plans to facilitate the resolution of the dispute.
Speaking to the Star on Monday, South B MCA Waithera who is also the Deputy Minority Whip said that the exact date of the committee sitting will be announced at a later date.
"At the end of the day, residents need to know the future of the land marked for markets. All relevant stakeholders will be invited before the committee to shed light on the matter," she said.
"As a government, Kenya Kwanza vowed to protect the hustlers and Wanjikus from these land grabbers," Waithera added.
At the moment, the assembly is on recess until September 12, 2023.
The Deputy Minority Leader had also claimed that her life was in danger after presenting the petition at the assembly.
Via a letter addressed to Speaker Kennedy Ng’ondi, the MCA said she is afraid some unnamed people who intend to grab a piece of land at South B shopping centre, are after her life.
Waithera said her pursuit towards repossession of the public grabbed land, has exposed her where unknown individuals have been intimidating and threatening her.
“Should something happen to me, then you know who to look for. I have already recorded a statement at the police station on the same under OB No.09/9/82023 at Richfield Police Station, South B,” part of the letter reads.