We're not party to Kirima land saga, says CS after meeting with family

Lands Cabinet Secretary Hon Alice Wahome (right) with the late Gerishon Kirima's widows Anne Kirima (left) and Teresia Wairimu (centre) after meeting with representatives of the Kirima family in Nairobi on 21st November 2023. [Denis Kibuchi, Standard]

The government will not get involved in the land dispute between the family of the late Starehe MP Gerishon Kirima and landowners in Njiru.

Lands Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome yesterday said there are no plans to buy the 1,000 acres on behalf of the people who were ordered to vacate by December 31.

Wahome termed as rumours talk that the government either intends to negotiate with the Kirima family or buy the land to regulate the settlement.

“We have received a lot of inquiries about whether there is a possibility or consideration by the government to buy the land or settle people who are living on the land. This land is about 1,000 acres, we have no such plans; there are no instructions to that extent," she said.

The CS, however, said the government will only be concerned with occupied road reserves and public utility spaces.

"The land belongs to Kirima, the government has nothing to do with any occupation on that land, save for public utility plots that may have been surrendered and we are aware that such plots are occupied," she said.

The CS cautioned against fraudsters claiming to own land.

According to Ken Onyango, chairman of Highrise Court sits on the disputed land, there was a ray of hope after some members of the Kirima family opened the door for negotiations.

“Today we have confirmed from the CS and PS that the land belongs to Kirima. We are occupying parcel LR No O6825/2. Majority of the residents are willing for negotiations and we have already started the process of negotiating with the Kirima family,” said Onyango.

Last month, the Environment and Lands Court found the contested property belongs to Kirima.

Those affected are persons who claimed to have been allocated the land by the Commissioner of Lands, Nairobi County Government, and others who claimed ownership through adverse possession.

Justice Samson Okong’o ordered at least 300 persons who claimed 80 acres after allegedly living and developing the land for more than 12 years to leave by the end of the year or be evicted.

Kamatuto Self Help Group of 1,310 members claimed 160 acres, alleging they were allocated by the Lands Commissioner.