Nyahururu: Protests After Matatu Terminus Land Allegedly Grabbed
A group of matatu drivers in Nyahururu, joined by residents, staged demonstrations to prevent a merchant from constructing a structure near a bus stop.
The protesters who stormed the town on Saturday accused the unnamed businessman of seizing the public land that functions as a matatu stop.
On the parcel, the private developer allegedly began constructing a commercial structure without obtaining the necessary permits.
The angry demonstrators then stormed the site and demolished some of the already-built structures.
“What we are saying is we do not want a repeat of this. This is a stage and we refuse to accept (land grabbing). We shall protect public property,” lamented one of the protesters identified as Samwel Wandeto.
Irene Wachuka, another protester, challenged the merchant to ask for his money back from county government officials, insisting that the public is eager to ensure that the land is not seized.
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“You know you demolished the stage claiming you want to set up your own thing. We maintain that you will not grab this,” she stated.
“If you bribed some people for the project, you should ask them for your money back because this is public property.”
National Crime Research Centre’s recent report on land injustices reveals that Laikipia County, where Nyahururu is located, is among the top ten counties in Kenya with unresolved succession land disputes.
Vihiga had the highest rate with 81.2%, followed by Nyamira with 70.6%, Busia with 63.2%, Nandi with 60.0%, and Laikipia with 36.0%.
The accusation was made a week after the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) filed a lawsuit to recover approximately 18 acres of land that was allegedly stolen from Kibuye Market in Kisumu.
Then-CEO of the EACC, Twalib Mbarak, stated that the land, valued at approximately Ksh2 billion, had been seized, with the perpetrators proposing to sell it back to the State.
“We have got all the relevant documents relating to the said parcels from the Ministry of Lands. Subsequently, several people recorded statements and with all the evidence, we filed the suit in court,” he told the press.
Nyahururu: Protests After Matatu Terminus Land Allegedly Grabbed
