Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Kenyans.co.ke
Published on 2024-04-02 12:14:11
A family with close connections to former President Uhuru Kenyatta has come forward with allegations of their land being grabbed in Eastleigh, Nairobi County. This has sparked a plea for intervention and justice as they claim that the disputed land was taken by unidentified developers shortly after President Kenyatta’s retirement in 2022. The family has stated that the developers have put up a fence around the property, blocking their access to what they believe is rightfully theirs.
The distress of the affected family is palpable, as they recall being compensated for their land while their father was alive. They question who the developers are paying for the building that now stands on their land. Kamu Muigai, a relative of the former president, shared that the family confronted the developers when construction began, only to be met with resistance and defiance. The developers advised them to seek legal redress through the court system, further complicating the situation.
In an effort to seek justice, the family has reached out to Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Land Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome for assistance in reclaiming their property. This incident is part of a larger issue highlighted by the Kenya Land Alliance in a report released in January 2023. The report revealed that over 200,000 land titles have been obtained through unlawful land grabs since Kenya’s independence. This rampant trend is concerning as it threatens the security of land ownership throughout the country.
The Kenya Land Alliance emphasized the severity of the situation, using data from the Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis (KIPPRA) to highlight the extent of land grabbing incidents. They warned against the proliferation of such cases, stating that they undermine the stability of land tenure in Kenya.
The plight of the Kenyatta family illustrates the urgent need for concrete action to address land disputes and uphold the rights of legitimate landowners. Authorities are being urged to intervene decisively to resolve the conflict and hold those responsible for illegal land appropriation accountable.
As the family continues to seek justice through official channels, their struggle mirrors the broader challenges faced in land ownership and tenure across the country. The resolution of this dispute will have significant implications for the fight against land grabbing and the protection of property rights in Kenya.
With national attention focused on this unfolding saga, the handling of this dispute will be a litmus test for Kenya’s commitment to safeguarding property rights and combating illicit land grabbing practices. It is imperative that the authorities take swift and effective action to rectify the situation and ensure justice for the affected family.
Overall, this case serves as a reminder of the complexity and importance of land ownership issues in Kenya, highlighting the need for a strong and transparent legal framework to protect the rights of landowners and prevent further land grabbing incidents.
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