Syokimau residents expose cartels abusing system, seizing public land

The Syokimau Residents Association (SRA) has raised concerns over what it describes as “deeply entrenched and well-coordinated” land cartels operating with impunity in the area.

According to the association, these cartels, allegedly shielded by some authorities, are systematically allowing private developers to seize, subdivide, and build on land officially reserved for public use.

Residents claim that some schemes involve altering land series numbers and “grafting new ones” to detach parcels from their public identity and erase their documented history from official records.

The Daniel School, a private educational institution expanding its campus, is cited as one such developer, proceeding with construction despite community protests and a Machakos County stop order issued on November 12, 2025.

The National Land Commission (NLC), Ministry of Lands, National Assembly Lands Committee, and Machakos County Government have come under scrutiny for inaction, raising questions about whether they are genuinely committed to resolving the long-standing disputes or complicit in the cartels driving the land grab.

Systematic reallocation

According to the SRA and documents in their possession, developments in the area reflect a broader pattern in which private developers, land officials, and some county officials allegedly facilitate the systematic reallocation, alteration, and development of land originally set aside for public utilities.

Records point to a persistent pattern of irregularities in land management. The enforcement notice issued to The Daniel School, citing LR 13323/94, is just one of several over the years. Residents highlight that all Syokimau public parcels consistently fall under the 12715/ series.

SRA chairperson Mohamed Ismail Abdi explains that land originally reserved for public utilities – including schools, hospitals, dams, and other facilities, such as LR 12715/256, 12715/267, 12715/255, and 12715/409 – falls within the 12715 block.

In proper land administration, parcels “root” from the parent LR number, and the sudden appearance of a new 13323/ series raises serious questions about re-registration.

A land management expert familiar with the area notes that changing a land block series from 12715/ to 13323/ could detach the parcel from its public identity and documented history, making it harder to trace previous ownership, intended use, or past disputes. The expert adds that the new number series is likely to create a “fresh paper trail” disconnected from the long-standing public land dispute in Syokimau.

Historical collapse

The current confusion partly stems from the collapse of Syokimau Farm Limited, one of the area’s largest land-buying companies.

When the company, which originally owned over 4,000 acres, was wound up in 2013, a vacuum emerged that opened the door to widespread land fraud. With no clearly appointed administrator and missing records, former officials allegedly forged documents to sell parcels illegally. Court rulings and warnings from the company’s legitimate directors detail how fraudulent titles, subdivisions, and collusion with officials entrenched a long-running land cartel whose influence persists today.

The broader Syokimau land dispute was first spotlighted in 2011 by the Government Taskforce on the Irregular Appropriation of Public Land in Athi River, chaired by Ambassador John Abduba.

The taskforce presented its findings to the late Internal Security Minister George Saitoti, identifying parcels, including LR 12715/267, where The Daniel School’s construction is taking place, and LR 12715/256 as public land irregularly subdivided and sold to private individuals. This marked the first formal confirmation that land set aside for public services had been appropriated in violation of planning frameworks.

Following the 2011 findings, the SRA lodged multiple complaints with the NLC. Public hearings convened in December 2018 allowed the SRA to present its case.

New development plan

On January 11, 2019, the NLC revoked titles to affected plots, imposed restrictions to stop further transactions, and requested a new development plan to reinstate public facilities, including a market, bus park, police post, library, and public primary and secondary schools.

The contested parcels, covering 120 acres according to the SRA, were publicly advertised to allow titleholders to defend their claims, though some failed to respond, making them suspects of benefiting irregularly.

Machakos County initially participated in the hearings, signalling support for public interests, but later withdrew, stating it would handle the matter with stakeholders directly.

No progress was made following the county’s withdrawal, leaving the SRA to pursue the matter independently. Abdi says the community regarded the NLC’s 2019 resolutions to revoke titles, impose restrictions, and reinstate public facilities as a major step, but because these resolutions were never gazetted, they never took legal effect, leaving the parcels active in the registry.

Chief land registrar

Despite these efforts, the SRA reports that the NLC resolutions were never implemented. On February 18, 2020, the NLC’s Acting Director of Legal Affairs, Brian Ikol, sent a letter to the Chief Land Registrar at the Ministry of Lands requesting formal restrictions on eight parcels, including LR 12715/256 and LR 12715/267, to prevent ongoing “fraudulent activities” while the matter was finalised. Residents expected this intervention to halt further sales and subdivisions.

However, no restrictions were entered in the land registry. Abdi says this omission left the land vulnerable to continued development. “The Chief Land Registrar never acted on the NLC’s request. That inaction allowed the very outcome the NLC was trying to prevent,” he said.

The SRA also wrote to the Commission on Administrative Justice and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission. The Ombudsman repeatedly sought updates from the NLC in December 2020 and December 2022, receiving no response. In April 2023, the NLC claimed the issue had not been concluded because the term of the “First Commission” had ended in February 2019, leaving the matter under legal review. Residents say this contradicts the NLC’s 2019 resolutions and prior public hearings.

With administrative avenues exhausted, the SRA petitioned the National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Lands on 17 April 2024. Chairperson Ali highlighted evidence of political involvement in land allocations dating back to the former Mavoko Municipal Council era. He explained that over ten thousand residents have been affected, particularly along Katani Road, where public land intended for schools and other facilities was appropriated. Despite extensive documentation, including the 2011 taskforce report, NLC hearing records, 2019 recommendations, 2020 restriction requests, and Ombudsman correspondence, the association received no feedback, and no formal report was issued.

Ongoing construction

Meanwhile, construction on disputed public land continues. Residents report fencing, earthworks, and new structures progressing despite stop orders. Photos and videos from 20 November 2025 show workers backfilling foundations and erecting a perimeter wall for The Daniel School.

The SRA criticises Machakos County Government’s planning department for permitting development despite stop orders. “The documents clearly show the original purpose of these parcels. We do not see how development approvals are issued unless developers are being shielded by higher authorities,” a member said.

Mavoko Sub-County planner John Mutiwa was evasive when questioned about the enforcement of the stop order. “I cannot give information to a person I do not know. You should come to my office and submit a formal letter for recording purposes. The plots in question do not belong to The Daniel School.”

Attempts to reach the school’s proprietor were unsuccessful.

The 2019 census placed Syokimau’s population at 36,862 across 10,185 households, though the SRA estimates it has now surpassed 70,000, highlighting the urgent need for public facilities. Residents warn that prolonged delays and lack of coordinated enforcement are enabling private developers to continue encroaching on contested public land.