MPs Approve Demolition of Palatial Nairobi Homes

Members of Senate in session at Parliament Building Nairobi on  January 29, 2020.
Members of Senate in session at Parliament Building Nairobi on January 29, 2020.
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A number of families residing in Lang'ata's upmarket estates have been dealt a blow after members of the National Assembly ruled that they acquired land illegally.

The National Assembly's Environment and Forestry Committee, in a sitting on Wednesday, November 18, concluded that the law was not followed by homeowners occupying 34 hectares that are part of the diminishing Ngong Forest.

The affected estates include KMA Estate, Langata Gardens Estate, Langata View Estate, Shalom Estate, St Mary’s Hospital, and Forest Edge/View Estates.

The government, through the Ministry of Forestry, was preparing to demolish the homes of some 20,000 families it claimed built their homes on illegally hived off part of the forest.

A photo of Environment Cabinet Secretary Keriako Tobiko appearing before the National Assembly Environment Committee in Nairobi on Thursday, March 7, 2019.
Environment Cabinet Secretary Keriako Tobiko appearing before the National Assembly Environment Committee in Nairobi on Thursday, March 7, 2019.
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“The committee further recommends that the residents, owners or proprietors of developments located within the said 34 acres and the Ministry of Environment and Forestry enter into negotiations with an aim to reach an amicable solution for peaceful coexistence,” added the committee.

The committee, however, gave a reprieve to families who occupy 53 hectares after ruling that the owners and proprietors of the land acquired it legally.

Some of the estates that have been saved by the MPs include Sunvalley I, II & III Estates, and Royal Park Estate.

“The committee resolves to caution the Ministry of Environment and Forestry to cease issuing threats to the residents, owners or proprietors of developments located within the 53.68 hectares as the law relating to declaration that a forest area shall cease to be a forest area with respect to the aforementioned area was followed," stated the committee.

In June, the state had threatened to unleash wild animals on the families that would refuse to vacate from their homes.

Environment Cabinet Secretary Keriako Tobiko had disclosed at the time that the people who live in some 10 estates in Lang'ata would not be forcefully driven out.

He explained that, if any resident failed to leave within the stipulated time, the government would begin fencing off the area connecting the Nairobi National Park with Ngong Forest and release wild animals to roam freely. 

"In 1932, Ngong Road forest was 7,000 acres. As we speak today, what is left of Ngong Forest is less than 1,000 acres.

"We are not going to bother with anyone. We will proceed immediately to start fencing and we will fence you in. After we have done that, we will release the animals," he stated at the time.

Ngong Forest as seen along Karen Road in Nairobi in this photo taken on January 22, 2020.
Ngong Forest as seen along Karen Road in Nairobi in this photo taken on January 22, 2020.
Daily Nation
Jeff Angote
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