We shall reclaim grabbed public land, says Sakaja

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja during the issuance of bursaries at City Stadium on Saturday, March 4, 2023. [Samson Wire, Standard]

The Nairobi county government has commenced a drive to reclaim public land grabbed by private developers.

Governor Johnson Sakaja promised that no effort will be spared to repossess land meant for public use like expansion, recreation and parking.

Sakaja regretted that most public schools are grappling with expansion challenges as learners transit to Junior Secondary Schools because their land has been grabbed.

Further, the governor said playing fields and open spaces in colonial-era estates like Mbotela, Kaloleni, Kariobangi and Maringo have been grabbed by private developers.

He vowed to ensure all land meant for public utility is repossessed.

"I have spoken with the head teacher of Martin Luther Primary school where 5.3 acres of land were grabbed; we are going to restore it by next week. I have asked four primary head teachers in Nairobi to report directly to our lands team of any encroachment on their schools' land," said Sakaja while unveiling the Sh1 billion bursary kitty.

An education task force appointed by the county government in 2014 found out that some 44 secondary schools and many primary schools in the city had no ownership documents for their land.

Some of the schools identified in the report include Kabiria Primary, Ngong Forest Primary, Olympic Primary, Uhuru Gardens, Our Lady of Mercy, Ayany Primary, Kibera, Bahati, Buruburu One, Kamukunji Secondary, Ruaraka High and St. Anne's Girls Jogoo Road.