Opposition leader Raila Odinga has on Sunday afternoon claimed that he had information that an organized scheme by powerful individuals to grab land in Lang'ata was behind the Kijiji fire that left hundreds homeless on January 27.
Speaking in Kijiji, Raila warned the alleged land-grabbers that they would not be allowed to grab land in Lang'ata.
"Kulingana na fununu tunayoisikia, hii ilikuwa ni njama. Kuna watu waliohusika kwa sababu wanataka kunyakua hio ardhi hapa ili wajenge mijengo yao (According to what we're hearing, this was planned. There were people involved because they want to grab the land to construct their buildings.)
"Na tunajua walikua wamepanga hio njama na wengine...Wanyakuzi wa ardhi vile vile wanajulikana, si bwana mashamba anajulikana ? (And we know they planned it with others. The land grabbers are known, don't you know Mr Mashamba ?)
The fire that left 5 people dead began at 8 pm on Saturday, January 27 in Kijiji, Southlands.
[caption caption="Raila Odinga speaks in Kijiji, Lang'ata on February 11"]
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Area residents were the first to arrive on the scene, battling to put out the fire.
Fire engines from the County Government later arrived but, dissapointingly, soon ran out of water.
They did not return to the scene once they ran out of water.
Governor Mike Sonko came under attack from the public following the fire, with Lang'ata MP Nixon Korir also targeted by angry residents.
Raila, along with other leaders, delivered foodstuff, blanket and matresses among other things to victims of the fire.
[caption caption="File image of the Kijiji fire on January 27"]
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