Runda residents took to the streets on Saturday to protest against the alleged grabbing of land, which they claim is being enabled by the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA).
They accused NEMA of issuing permits to developers to construct residential apartments on land intended for public use.
The eight-acre plot of land in question was earmarked for a public park and children's playground, but has reportedly been grabbed by a powerful individual intent on building high-rise apartments.
Besides the land grabbing, the residents claimed that the construction could cause ecological problems by disrupting the drainage system in the upmarket neighbourhood.
"The challenge here is that there is a basin here called the Runda basin, where all the waters that come from Eliud Mathu and Benin Drive go," Chris Getonga, chairman of the Runda Residents Association, said.
"If this development is to go forward, that means that we will have ecological issues down here. That's why we are saying No!"
He further relayed that the bylaws for living in Runda had been violated following the frequent development projects in the area for new apartments.
As such, he claimed that even the security of the affluent estate had also deteriorated as a result.
“It’s time we told the government that this is unacceptable. We have by-laws - no bars, no nightclubs in Runda - but suddenly we are going to have all of them,” he said.
“Our security will be threatened. I appeal to all residents, beyond protesting, to reach out to their leaders and stop this impunity. Somebody approved this, and we must know who it was."
The protest comes just over a month after the residents banded together to file a complaint about a noisy motor vehicle garage.
The Nairobi County Chief Officer for Environment, Geoffrey Mosiria, intervened after continued complaints and closed down the garage, threatening to arrest anyone found operating on the premises henceforth.
"I will deploy security officers who will survey these premises, and if operations continue tomorrow, we shall arrest and prosecute anyone who is found here. Every worker should carry all their belongings at home, and we will ensure that we close that gate completely," he said.
