Popular Nairobi Church to be Evicted from JKIA Land

Worshippers at Kenya Methodist church in Embakasi in April 2020.
Worshippers at Kenya Methodist church in Embakasi in April 2020.
Facebook

The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) has issued an eviction notice to the Kenya Methodist Church based in Embakasi to vacate from its land.

In a notice, the government agency directed the church to stop any further activities on the land noting that they had occupied the property illegally.

"Take notice that you are in unlawful occupation of our land in Embakasi without lawful authority or without any right or license under law," the notice published on March 30, read in part.

KAA directed the church to remove any buildings and other improvements which may have erected as well as to remove any growing crops that may have been planted and livestock. 

Kenya Airports Authority Head Office
A signboard of the Kenya Airports Authority Head Office, off Airport North Road
KAA/Twitter

"At the expiry of three months, we shall evict you without any further reference to you at your costs and peril," the government agency stated.

Also given notice were residents who had encroached on a neighbouring plot in the same area. The authority wants to reclaim the land for future expansion of the Jomo Kenyatta International Aiport (JKIA). 

KAA has in recent years been engaged in legal battles over evictions as it tries to reclaim airport land.

In January 2021, Residents of Mkokuani, Diani protested the expansion of Diani Airport, citing that they were yet to be compensated for the land.

They argued that they have for over a decade held talks with the Kenya Aviation Authority (KAA) regarding compensation with little luck.

"What is shocking is that we have held talks with KAA since 2007. Up to date, we have not reached an agreement," a resident argued.

In a separate suit over land adjacent to Wilson airport, KAA was compelled to compensate 3,000 families evicted from the property in 2011.

Moving to court, Mitubell Welfare Society challenged their eviction by the agency from a 404-acre land near Wilson Airport.

In January 2021, the Supreme Court ordered the families' compensation and referred the matter to the High Court to craft appropriate reliefs for the evicted families.

Acting CJ Philomena Mwilu (left) with former CJ David Maraga during a ruling at the Supreme Court on January 11, 2021.
Acting CJ Philomena Mwilu (left) with former CJ David Maraga during a ruling at the Supreme Court on January 11, 2021.
Twitter
  • .