Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has revoked the title deed of a private developer who announced plans to demolish Kimathi Primary School to construct a mall.
Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke, Nairobi County Secretary Patrick Analo confirmed that the developer in question obtained the parcel in 1995 through irregular means.
"The piece of land was allocated irregularly in 1995 when this was still a county council. After the illegal allocation, the person moved to get permission for a residential house. This (2023) is when it has come up but the allocation and approval has since been revoked," Analo stated.
The revocation came after Bahati MCA Patrick Macharia stormed the institution located at Kamukunji, Nairobi County, with his area residents after the businessman put up a signpost indicating that he intended to demolish the institution.
Video clips showed the residents demolishing the signpost bearing the name of the Kimathi Welfare Association (KEWA) on the night of Wednesday, July 26.
The private developer argued that the primary school, which has been in operation since the 1970s, occupied the land illegally.
The developer confirmed his intention to construct and develop shopping malls and a community hall, asserting that these were the original plans for the parcel.
Macharia, however, opposed the plans arguing that the public school was under the management of the Nairobi County Government.
He argued that the city's Governor Johnson Sakaja had not approved the school's demolition laying the blame on the National Lands Commission (NLC).
"We want to give our pupils dignity and hope. We want to bring this signpost down and the County government will deal with this person," stated Macharia.
"He should know that he is fighting with a custodian. The National Lands Commission cannot be a custodian of the county government. This is an institution of the Nairobi County Government. Our Governor has not approved land grabbing."
Speaking to the press, Buruburu Sub-County Police Commander Francis Kamau noted that the police had launched investigations into the matter.
The tussle came a month after Kenyans hit out at the police for teargassing 35 pupils from Ndurarua Primary School in Kawangware, Dagoretti North, during the Azimio la Umoja protests.
The police were accused of firing two teargas canisters into the school's compound forcing the pupils and teachers to scamper for safety.
