LUKENYA: Landowners in the Mavoko area of Machakos are urging the government to halt the activities of a new developer allegedly encroaching on their land. The residents had previously paid KCB for regularization fees, only to find their land overtaken by a developer backed by armed security personnel.
According to Kenya News Agency, the disputed land was initially owned by East African Portland Cement company before being taken over by KCB as part of a debt settlement. Landowners were charged Sh200,000 per parcel for regularization, valuation, and surveyor fees. Despite fulfilling these obligations, the landowners are now facing encroachment issues from a new developer.
The land in question is strategically located along the Nairobi-Mombasa highway, adjacent to Green Park Gardens, Daystar University, and near a site of previous government-led evictions. Mark Nzioki, who has owned multiple parcels in Lukenya since 2015, expressed frustration after paying Sh1.6 million in regularization fees, only to find hi
s property overtaken by a developer constructing a perimeter wall with armed protection.
Timothy Kioko, a businessman with land on the main road, also reported similar grievances. Despite having possessed and developed his land for over a decade, he was asked to demolish his structures by the new developer. Kioko emphasized that the Sh200,000 fee was merely for regularization, with additional costs ranging from Sh5-30 million based on land size.
The actions of the developer have prompted some landowners to begin relocating, raising questions about KCB’s acceptance of payments amid knowledge of a new buyer. Machakos Woman Representative Kamene Kasimbi criticized KCB’s handling of the situation and called for immediate intervention from both the government and other leaders to prevent further chaos.
Kamene described the situation as unfair and inhumane, particularly given its timing when many residents are on holiday and schools are about to reopen. KCB, when contacted, acknowledged the grievances and stated
they are investigating the issue.
This controversy arises a month after Machakos County Commissioner Josephine Ouko encouraged residents to participate in the regularization process following a court-ordered eviction, assuring them of legitimate land ownership through cooperation.