Residents are up in arms against the county government and private developers for violating zoning regulations.
"I am on my way to the hospital... I am at the hospital, let me finish what I am doing.”
That was the response from the Kileleshwa Chief Joyline Gatakaa when the Nation reached out to her at 11.10am on Thursday.
When we contacted her again around 3.10pm, Chief Gitakaa said: “Niko hospitali. Niko kwa daktari, sijui atamalizana nami saa ngapi. (I am at the hospital. I am with the doctor, I do not know what time they will be done with me).”
The text messages we had sent her earlier on remained unanswered up to the time of publishing this article.
Similarly, efforts to get a comment from the Kilimani Chief Catherine Wawira were futile as our calls and text messages went unanswered.
Chief Joyleen is at the centre of a bitter row with the Kileleshwa Member of County Assembly (MCA) Robert Alai, over the proliferation of illegal high rise developments in the area.
Kileleshwa Ward Representative Robert Alai.
Last week, Mr Alai stormed a public participation forum in Kileleshwa where the two local administrators were reportedly assaulted and injured and later sought treatment at the Nairobi Women’s Hospital.
Kileleshwa OCS, William Bosire clarified that the two chiefs received treatment but were not admitted to the facility, contrary to reports circulating online. Further, he disclosed that both administrators recorded statements with the police regarding the incident which is now with the Regional Police Commander, Nairobi area.
“The case is being investigated,” said the OCS.
In a video circulated widely online, Mr Alai is seen accompanied by a group of youths violently disrupting a meeting at Rhapta Road, Kileleshwa facilitated by the two chiefs. The MCA accused Ms Gitakaa and Ms Wawira of colluding with developers of manipulating public participation processes to carryout illegal construction projects.
On Monday the Kileleshwa Ward Neighbourhood Association (Kiwana) condemned violent altercations announcing zero tolerance for violence in the estate.
Constructive dialogue
Further, the outfit opposed hyper-densification saying that the current developments are making the estate “too dense and too fast," posing a threat to security in the neighborhood.
“Rather than engaging in adversarial conflict, Kiwana formally invites developers, built environment professionals, planners, and public institutions to participate in constructive dialogues. Our shared goal is to co-create well-planned, inclusive urban spaces in full compliance with Sections 58 and 62(1) of the Physical and Land Use Planning Act, 2019,” the statement read.
“KIWANA remains steadfast in its conviction that urban progress and community liveability are not mutually exclusive. However, progress must be data-driven, respectful of the rule of law, and achieved through empowered and peaceful civic participation. We urge the Nairobi City County Government to listen to the 100 percent consensus of Kileleshwa residents and fulfill its legal mandates transparently,” the statement said.
To build capacity and enable residents engage effectively, the association has developed an interrogation toolkit dubbed "Public Participation: Ask the Right Questions".
“We reject the use of slander, malice, intimidation, or violence in matters relating to development and planning within Kileleshwa Ward. Kiwana recognises the important role developers play in addressing housing demand, supporting economic growth, creating employment opportunities, and contributing to Nairobi’s evolving urban fabric,” they stated.
Residents are up in arms against the county government and private developers for violating zoning regulations.
Mr Alai claimed the two officers were facilitating approval processes for real estate developers intending to construct more than 400 apartments in an area he said cannot withstand.
In documents shared with the Nation, Mr Alai claims that Ms Joyleen is the “central hub of a well-organized developers’ cartel operating across Dagoretti North, Kilimani and Kileleshwa”.
He states that the Kileleshwa Chief’s office is the organising point for the approval cartel in partnership with Ms Wawira, the Kilimani area chief representative, “that has captured the Public Participation regime under the Environmental Management and Co-ordination Act (EMCA) across Dagoretti North Sub-County.”
“Ms Gatakaa appears in person at six audited Public Participation forums (MIC PP2, MIC PP3, Rsun PP1, Rsun PP3, Springleaf PP1, CALLA M2) and her office (Asst Chief Simon Kang'ethe, Asst Chief Purity Silas, Ward Administrator George Muga, Village Elder Hudson Wafula) carries every remaining Kileleshwa Location forum.”
“The parallel Kilimani Chief Catherine Wawira self-designates as "the Kilimani Chief representing the Kileleshwa Chief" at Grandfar PP1.”
The group’s purpose, according to Mr Alai, “is to manufacture the appearance of community approval for high-density developer schemes that exceed the operative height ceiling under Anami v Nairobi City County (Civil Appeal E160/2025).”
“Catherine self-designates as "the Kilimani Chief representing the Kileleshwa Chief" at Grandfar PP1, PP2, PP3 (August to September 2025). The two chiefs' offices act as one apparatus,” the documents read.
In a letter dated May 8, 2026 to the Regional Commissioner, Mr Alai demanded “the suspension and investigation of Area Chief Joyline Gatakaa and the dismantling of the approval cartel operating across the Kileleshwa, Kilimani and adjoining areas of Dagoretti North Sub-County and the wider Nairobi corridor.”
The Kenya Women Senators Association (Kewosa) condemned the attack on the two chiefs.
“The two Chiefs, who were lawfully discharging official government duties in the course of facilitating a constitutional public participation exercise, sustained injuries following the assault and have since been admitted at the Nairobi Women's Hospital for medical treatment,” stated Kewosa in a statement signed by the chairperson, Senator Veronica Maina.
The women senators termed the incident a grave attack on women in public service, a direct affront to constitutional governance, and a blatant violation of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010, and the laws protecting public officers in the execution of their duties.
In response, Mr Alai dismissed Kewosa’s statement as a reckless abuse of parliamentary proximity and a frontal assault on the rule of law.”
“Where were your statements when Rachel Wandeto was attacked? Where were your press conferences when other women leaders and women citizens across this country bore the actual brunt of political violence?” Posed Alai.
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