By Albert Nyakundi
Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has stopped further demolitions at Zimman Settlement Scheme.
On April 16th, at least 100 police officers were deployed on the 250 acre piece of land to supervise the demolitions.
The residents who occupy the land claim to own it by adverse possession.
In Kenyan law, adverse possession is where one is declared the owner of a piece of land after having lived on the land for more than 12 years and there is no one claiming ownership.
The residents have lived on the land since the late 1960’s.
A market, the Zimman Settlement scheme offices and other structures were brought down by bulldozers from NYS.
The residents appealed to President Uhuru Kenyatta to intervene.
Zimman settlement scheme is along Thika Road in Roysambu Constituency, on both sides of Thika road before Githurai 45.
An AP post on the land was spared.
On Thursday, Sonko visited the scheme and assured the residents that no demolitions will take place under his watch.
He said as the Co- chair of the Nairobi regeneration committee, he has suspended all other demolitions until further notice.
He also asked Kenya Power Company not to demolish resident’s structures saying its causing suffering.
“I thank the president for assuring me that no more demolitions of properties at this settlement scheme.” he told the jubilated residents.
The Governor lashed out at Nairobi County Police commander Philip Ndolo for supervising demolitions of resident’s houses.
”Even if Ndolo is my tribesman, Nairobi politics cannot be tribal. The continued demolition supervised by Ndolo amounts to crimes against humanity. We will take him to ICC if he continues because we know police cannot arrest him,” he said.
An angry Sonko lashed out at Nairobi Senator Johnson Sakaja for failing in his oversight roles.
Sonko said when he was the Senator, he was a “Super Senator” and that instead of Sakaja defending the City residents -he has abdicated his role and left it to him (Sonko).
“Sakaja has failed the electorate and is busy speaking English in the Senate. He is not fighting impunity against the people of Nairobi. He will never win any other elective seat in Nairobi,” Sonko said.
During the demolitions, an official at the society, Michael Karanja said the demolition was illegal.
Karanja accused the Deputy Inspector General of police Edward Mbugua and President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Cousin Captain Kung’u Muigai of being behind the demolitions.
“Captain Kung’u has been threatening us with dire consequences, using top government officials yet the matter is in court.” Karanja said.
When reached for comment, Captain Kung’u said he was held up in a meeting and that he will respond soon.
However, he did not respond.
But Sonko told off those who claimed that President Uhuru Kenyatta has interest in the land.
Sonko said president Uhuru is not interested in grabbing squatters land and he should not be dragged into the matter.
Read also: https://hotnews.co.ke/national/tears-as-zimmerman-settlement-scheme-market-is-demolished/