The National Assembly Committee on Finance and National Planning has vowed that a five-acre plot of land belonging to the College of Insurance allegedly grabbed by a private developer will be recovered by any means necessary.
This resolution was made by the committee led by Molo Member of Parliament Kimani Kuria following investigations prompted by a statement from Baringo Woman Representative Florence Jematiah.
According to Mr Kuria, the investigation confirmed that the contested land in South C is public property owned by the Insurance Training and Education Trust (ITET).
The committee expressed deep concern over a growing trend of developers colluding with government officials to target public institutions and land.
National Assembly Committee on Finance and National Planning Chairperson Kuria Kimani.
Photo credit: File| Nation Media Group
“If this is happening to a public institution, then what happens to private property owned by Kenyans who may not have access to government offices, the Attorney General, or legal representation in court?” Mr Kuria asked.
To safeguard the institution’s land, the committee directed the Principal Secretary for Public Investments and Asset Management Cyrell Wagunda Odede to work with the College of Insurance to ensure the land is protected.
“We urge the National Treasury to act swiftly, taking a whole-of-government approach to ensure this public property is protected,” Mr Kuria added.
PS Odede assured the committee that his office would coordinate with the institution to escalate the matter to the Supreme Court. This came after the institution’s legal counsel claimed that the Court of Appeal had delayed the hearing without valid reason.
The PS also questioned the Court of Appeal's decision to nullify the institution’s original title deed despite key documents verifying the land’s ownership history.
“Any further delay could result in the government losing a strategic investment made by the College of Insurance, including its hotel, The Edge,” said Mr Kuria.
Currently, access to the institution and The Edge Convention Centre has been blocked by the developerwho moved in and built a perimeter wall on the contested land.
According to the school’s management, the developer erected the wall in defiance of a court order, and evicted the school from the land. The blockade has forced staff, students and guests to use an unsafe alternative route.
In a protest letter addressed to the Nairobi County Government and the developer’s lawyers, the institution questioned how construction was allowed despite the court order.
“The excavation and construction took place hurriedly between June 6 and June 16, both day and night. Mr Rajab Karume and his goons have continued the works without the formal development approval required under Section 58(1) of the Physical and Land Use Planning Act, 2019,” reads the letter to the Nairobi County Urban Planning Department.
The school further stated that the required public notice for the development had not been displayed, and public participation had not been conducted.
Photo credit: Shutterstock
According to the institution’s director, Dr Ben Kajwang, the construction destroyed a sewer line on the property’s boundary and completely blocked the paved and tarmacked access road to the college.
“This has completely barricaded the College of Insurance, preventing staff and students from accessing the premises. It also poses a serious health risk to the surrounding neighborhood,” Dr Kajwang told Nation.
The school further emphasised that the developer’s forceful occupation was in direct violation of a court order issued by Justice Grace Kemei on June 11, which restrained any eviction until the case is fully heard and determined.
When contacted, Nairobi County Director for Environment, John Paul Malawi, claimed he was unaware of the ongoing eviction and said the development activities were news to him.
