The National Environment Tribunal is set to determine the fate of 1,200 families who risk eviction from a public land-based in Lang'ata, Nairobi following an eviction notice issued by the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA).
According to a report by Nation, the representatives of the families accused a politician of using President William Ruto's name to claim the land.
They argued that they had occupied the premises for over 15 years and wondered how an eviction order was issued to suddenly evict them from the premises.
“He seems to be operating above the law, selling public land, blocking public roads and charging citizens to access the same. He even states that he is selling the public land on behalf of His Excellency President William Samoei
"Ruto and that the NEMA Director General has authorised, endorsed and approved the same,” read part of an affidavit from the families' representatives.
The families claimed that the politician demanded that they should give him half of the land for his personal development and he would offer them protection.
In addition, they alleged that the politician had taken charge of public roads whereby they were charged a Ksh30 fee for its use.
Court documents revealed that the land-based in Lang'ata comprises residential properties, a church and a school.
The claimants added that the politician used fake title deeds in a bid to acquire the land meant for public use.
Among the orders, the families sought included blocking the politician or any private individual from demolishing their houses or forcefully occupying their premises.
The second demand issued was to block the politician from using Ruto's name to gain access to the land.
A directive issued by NEMA in November 2022, barred further construction of projects within the land and ordered the families to vacate.
The Tribunal, chaired by Mohamed Balala, is set to determine their fate on Thursday, March 2.
