Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has made significant progress to avert looming demolitions in Njiru following a court order.
Speaking on Thursday, December 14, Sakaja told Radio Citizen that he had convened a meeting with the late Gerishom Kirima's family to determine the fate of thousands occupying their land in Njiru.
Together, they met Land Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome and agreed to halt the demolition process slated for January 2024.
The first-time governor noted that negotiations were still ongoing to help residents find another alternative to settle the land dispute with Kirima's family.
"Yesterday( Wednesday, December 13) I passed by Njiru and heard that people there were living in fear that their houses would be demolished. But I assured them that would not happen.
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"Kirima's family met and we also held a meeting with the Land Cabinet Secretary and agreed on the modalities," Sakaja told Radio Citizen.
As part of the agreement, Sakaja revealed that the county and the national government through the Ministry of Lands had decided to carry out a survey of the contested piece of land and determine its current value.
The survey will then be used to guide the fresh purchase process, Sakaja stated.
"We came to an agreement that the Nairobi County government will carry out the survey in collaboration with the national government and then agree on who will pay for the cost."
"We will agree as to who pays for the land, is it us, or the families? But demolition is not an option. I do not want people to go for Christmas worried that their property will be destroyed. I know the order said on 31st Dec. We will not allow that. There has to be a better way," Sakaja declared.
The Environment and Land Court had ordered the residents occupying the land belonging to the late politician to vacate by December 31, failure to which they will be evicted.
Justice S. Okong’o's ruling left thousands of residents in Njiru, Chokaa, and Mihang’o areas in Nairobi in distress.
However, Sakaja allayed the demolition fears while pleading with political leaders against politicising the matter.
