Inside the raid on Uhuru Kenyatta's Northlands City

On March 27 last year, Northlands City, an ambitious urban project by the Kenyatta family, found itself at the heart of a meticulously planned raid that unfolded with unprecedented audacity.

The brazen attack, orchestrated and funded by politicians aligned with the Kenya Kwanza Alliance, laid bare a disturbing nexus between criminal elements and political manoeuvring, all transpiring under the seemingly neglectful eye of the country’s security organs.

Reports indicate that security agencies were privy to the plot well in advance but failed to thwart the impending chaos, injecting an element of mystery and suspicion into the entire affair.

Multiple sources in corridors of power and those who carried out the attack said that the raid was planned during secret meetings held on Friday, March 24, at an undisclosed location and further solidified on Sunday in Thika. Sympathetic politicians and business figures contributed funds for the attack.

Insiders familiar with the situation revealed intricate details of the financial logistics involved.

Funding mechanisms

“Attackers were paid Sh1,000 for the whole exercise,” disclosed a source with knowledge of the attack, shedding light on the funding mechanisms.

Additional funds were also raised for acquiring transport means, machetes, tree-cutting equipment, and other logistical support necessary for chaos.

A majority of the gang members, primarily unemployed Kenyan youths, were reportedly kept in the dark about their mission until Sunday evening and Monday morning.

“Some of us were afraid, but we were assured that the State would protect us,” said one of the goons.

On Monday, March 27, 2023, approximately 600 youths arrived in matatus from various regions. The youths were from Ruiru, Githurai 45, Gatundu South, Ruai, Kayole, and Mathare in Nairobi.

Tensions escalated as they were paid upon their arrival, and boda boda operators sensed trouble, choosing to leave, signalling the involvement of powerful forces within the government.

The fundraising efforts, allegedly coordinated by a Cabinet Secretary, current and former MPs and their aides, involved direct calls to organisers.

State-owned utility companies were reportedly coerced into terminating services, further escalating the political face-off between the Kenya Kwanza administration and retired President Uhuru Kenyatta.

The police, seemingly under orders from above, looked the other way as the youths caused mayhem, deepening the intrigue surrounding the incident.

Even before the attack, youths in five matatus were arrested while on their way and taken to a police station but were reportedly released following intervention by a city MP.

As the anti-government protests led by opposition leader Raila Odinga gained momentum, the invasion unfolded, putting the expansive Northlands farm along the Eastern Bypass in Kiambu County at the centre of the dispute.

The property fell victim to looting and arson.

“Leo wametuma majambazi kupiga shamba ya Uhuru Kenyatta. Wametuma watu kiwanda changu, hiyo ni kitendo ya upumbavu na ujinga. (They sent criminals to invade Uhuru Kenyatta’s farm as well as my factory, that is foolishness.),” said Raila.

Simultaneous attack

Simultaneously, an assault occurred at East Africa Spectre Limited, a company associated with  Raila, in the industrial area of Nairobi.

East Africa Spectre Limited Security and Safety Manager Humphrey Waswa told the media after the attack that people in cars surrounded the premises in the morning.

“Some (of the cars) had number plates, and others did not have number plates. They patrolled until 9 am. At around 10 am, I saw people on motorcycles approaching the company. We thought maybe they were coming to see Mzee (Raila), but we saw them with stones which they used to break windows,” Waswa told the media.

Armed with machetes and power saws, youths wreaked havoc at Northlands City, disrupting the Kenyatta family’s plans to develop the property. They made away with more than 1,000 sheep,  some of which they sold for Sh500 or Sh1,000 on their way back.

Attempts by the security guards on the property to report the attack at Gatong’ora and Mwihoko police stations remained futile as officers did not respond.

Supporters of the ruling Kenya Kwanza promptly shifted blame onto Uhuru, connecting ongoing anti-government protests to the rising cost of living and demands for transparency from the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC). 

Northlands City, an 11,800-acre urban project, bore significant damage during the raid, disrupting its intended development into a modern city designed to accommodate 250,000 individuals.

“Sisi tunafanya siasa ya kufuata sheria na katiba. Katiba inaruhusu maandamano. Katiba inaruhusu Wakenya kukutana kwa njia ya amani. Wale wanaenda kuvamia shamba za wengine na viwanda ni waoga, bwana Gachagua. (The constitution allows us to demonstrate and picket in a peaceful manner. Those vandalising other people’s property are cowards, Mr. Gachagua),” Raila said at the time.

Police officers arrived on Tuesday to assess the damage, discovering stolen sheep, damaged trees, and signs of makeshift settlements.

The invaders had disrupted the irrigation system, creating makeshift fences and subdivisions on the land. As staff began demolishing the shacks and officers evaluated the situation, the incident added a volatile chapter to Kenya’s political landscape, raising questions about the nexus between criminal activities, political manoeuvring, and the country’s security apparatus.

In his statement on August 28, 2023, the Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome denounced the violence that occurred during the protests.

In a press release, the police chief acknowledged that an unidentified group invaded and caused destruction at Northlands.

“Our investigations into the destruction and injuries caused have begun, and those found culpable shall face the law,” Koome said.

The IG also reassured the public that the country remains secure, emphasizing that the police are committed to fulfilling their responsibilities, including the maintenance of law and order.

He reported that, amid the protests, two vehicles were set ablaze, and 23 police officers sustained injuries.

“We commend our officers for discharging their duties with the utmost respect for the rule of law as demonstrated by their restraint during the unlawful protests,” he said.