It is a sigh of relief for hundreds of residents of Langata estates siting on allegedly grabbed forest land after the Government halted its plans to demolish the estates.
Speaking in Parliament on Wednesday before the Committee on lands , Environment and Natural resources, Environment CS Keriako Tobiko said that the Government will go after the most culpable people who grabbed the forest land and sold it to unsuspecting people.
According to media reports, the process of excising part of the land where the Lang’ata residential estates stand began in 1997 when Environment and Natural Resources Minister Henry Kosgey published a notice to set aside 53.68ha (about 130 acres) on December 22.
The land was indicated as L.R. No. 23256.
On March 23, 1998, Kosgey’s successor Francis Lotodo de-gazetted the alteration of Ngong Forest land to give it legal status.
Initially, Lotodo said the land was meant for a school only to end up in private hands.
Tobiko told the Committee that the Government will halt the plans if the residents surrender the title deeds and enter into lease agreements with Kenya Forest Service (KFS).
He said the Government plans to put up a Wildlife proof fence around the Ngong forest and link it with Nairobi National Park to ease pressure on the park.
Tobiko said the real culprits who benefited from the land will be arrested, charged, and forced to refund the Government the money.
The Estates that had been earmarked for demolition were St Mary’s Mission Hospital, Sun Valley, KMA Lang’ata estate, Lang’ata Place, Lang’ata View Apartments, Royal Park, Forest View, Shalom estate, and St Mary’s Apartments.