In a bold move to safeguard their decades-old properties, residents and traders from Gikomba and surrounding neighborhoods are turning to the courts after what they claim is an illegal government push to demolish their homes and businesses.
The affected communities, including Blue Estate, Shaurimoyo Estate, Kamukunji, Bahati area and parts of Gikomba, face displacement amid what they describe as unauthorized and unconstitutional eviction notices.Their fight gained prominent political support today 10th March 2026 when Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino appeared at the Milimani Law Courts.
He challenged the ongoing demolitions, asserting that the residents’ rights are being violated and that proper legal procedures are being disregarded.Babu highlighted that these individuals have occupied their parcels since approximately 2002, with official documentation such as allotment letters and minutes from the City County confirming their ownership.
Yet, he claims, the government’s recent actions aim to strip them of these properties without following the established legal process.”We are talking of private properties, properties that have been in existence for over twenty years, and which are protected by the law,” Owino stated to the media.
“These residents have been paying land rates, electricity bills, and have developed institutions like schools and health clinics all evidence of legitimate ownership.”The MP pointed out that the government’s eviction notice was issued with only 14 days’ notice, in direct violation of the Land Act 2012, which requires a three-month notice for compulsory acquisitions.
He further explained that the legal framework around land acquisition necessitates involving the National Land Commission, proper surveying, and fair compensation measures that are currently being sidestepped.”We understand the legal procedures required for land acquisition.
The law must be followed. There is a process, but it appears to have been bypassed entirely here,” Owino emphasized.Residents are deeply concerned about the implications of these demolitions. For many, their properties are their retirement savings their pensions, their lifelong investments.
One affected resident recounted heartbreak over the threat of losing their home and livelihood, describing how the properties have been passed down through generations.”We have been occupying this land for over 99 years, with approval from the Department of Nairobi City Council.
This is not just riparian land it’s legitimate ownership,” the resident asserted, criticizing the government’s claim that the land falls under riparian boundaries, which typically range from six to thirty meters.
Adding to the controversy, community members note that schools, clinics, and other vital facilities have been established within these areas, making the impending demolitions not only a personal loss but a community crisis.The involved traders and residents remain resolute, asserting their right to legal protection from what they see as unlawful displacement.
They are confident that the courts will uphold their property rights and ensure due process in any land disputes.
