Residents of Nyayo Estate Take to Streets Over Seized Public Land, Demand Immediate Action
Residents of Nyayo Estate in Embakasi East have intensified their battle against what they describe as the illegal grabbing of public land, taking to the streets on August 10 in yet another show of resistance against private developers and state agencies they accuse of land theft.
The protest, organized by the Nyayo Embakasi Residents Association (NERA), saw residents march from Malaika Park through Fedha Road, Jabali Avenue, and Dhahabu Avenue in a demonstration that lasted from 10 o’clock in the morning until 2 o’clock in the afternoon. The residents had given prior notice to Embakasi Police Station about the planned march, making it clear they intended to exercise their democratic right to petition for redress on a matter they consider deeply concerning to their community.
At the heart of the dispute is seven acres of land at Plot 115, which the residents insist was set aside for community use but has been allegedly taken over by private developers who have proceeded with construction activities. This latest demonstration comes just days after residents staged a similar protest on August 7, during which several residents were arrested before eventually being released. That earlier march was also triggered by allegations that public land previously earmarked for a primary school had been grabbed.
The residents’ grievances run deep and centre on claims that nearly two years ago, the perimeter wall surrounding the disputed parcel was demolished. Recently, construction activities resumed on the land, prompting the residents to demand action. In their formal demands, the residents have called for the restoration of the demolished perimeter wall, an immediate halt to all construction activities on the property, and the deployment of adequate security measures around the disputed land until the ownership and intended use are legally resolved.
The situation has attracted the attention of political leadership in the area. Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has thrown his weight behind the residents, publicly backing their demands and making serious accusations against the National Social Security Fund (NSSF). According to Owino, the NSSF has been involved in the alleged sale and allocation of public utility land within Nyayo Estate and the neighbouring Tassia area. His involvement has added a political dimension to what residents see as a struggle for justice and the protection of community resources.
The controversy extending into Tassia Estate demonstrates that this is not an isolated incident but part of a wider problem affecting multiple residential areas. In July, Tassia residents also took to the streets protesting what they described as public land being taken over by a private developer. The pattern of these protests suggests a systematic issue that demands urgent attention from authorities responsible for managing and protecting public land.
Beyond the immediate land dispute, residents are calling for something broader and arguably more important to the long-term wellbeing of their community. They have demanded that the government ensure the preservation of public spaces within the estate, particularly land that has been set aside for recreational and community facilities. This speaks to a deeper concern about how their living environment is being shaped and who gets to decide how communal resources are used.
The attempts by residents to access the property and establish what was being constructed were unsuccessful after they were denied entry to the site. This denial of access has only fueled suspicion and strengthened their resolve to continue their protests until their concerns are addressed.
For the residents of Nyayo Estate, this is about more than just one piece of land. It represents their fight to have a say in the development of their neighbourhood and to ensure that resources meant for the community benefit actually serve that purpose. Whether authorities will act on their demands remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the residents are not backing down from this battle.
