A group of petitioners has moved to the National Assembly seeking intervention to halt the Nairobi Rivers Commission projects in parts of Kangemi and Dagoretti until their grievances over land ownership, consultation and potential displacement are addressed.

🇰🇪 Breaking It Down

During a meeting on Tuesday, June 16, the petitioners, led by Joseph Ngure and Mugo Gichenga, told the National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Environment, Forestry and Mining that they are lawful freehold landowners along the Nairobi Stream and its tributaries, with claims dating back to 1959.

“We have proof that we are the original owners of the land, the only challenge is that several subdivisions have been done. We seek your intervention to stop this process until we are sufficiently heard and an amicable way forward is reached,” Gichenga said.

The petitioners raised concerns over the Nairobi Rivers Basin regeneration project, arguing that they were not adequately consulted during its design phase and that planned dredging works could affect their private property rights and livelihoods.

📌 What You Need to Know

Further, the group expressed fears that the project could lead to displacement without adherence to legal procedures governing compulsory acquisition and compensation.

The petitioners explained that though they support the environmental restoration efforts along the Nairobi River Basin, the project must abide by constitutional protections on property rights and public participation.

They called for the suspension of all project activities affecting private land, including demolitions and evictions, until their claims are fully addressed.

Committee members acknowledged the petition, saying they will investigate the petitioners’ claims through a series of fact-finding meetings and confirming plans to conduct an inspection visit of the affected areas before presenting their findings to Parliament.

“Clearly, there is a need for consultation on the actual position and ownership of this land to establish exact measurements under contention, the petitioners deserve a fair hearing and possible compensation if necessary,” stated Mbeere North MP Leo Wamuthende.

Additionally, the committee said it will consult with relevant state agencies such as the National Land Commission, National Environment Management Authority, Water Resources Authority and the Nairobi Rivers Commission.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke