Nairobi County Assembly Halts Kangemi Regeneration Project Amid Residents’ Outcry

The Nairobi County Assembly Planning Committee has ordered an immediate suspension of all planning activities tied to a regeneration project in Kangemi, following a petition by residents who claim their private land is under threat.

The residents had approached the Assembly to challenge the designation of their property for regeneration by the Nairobi Rivers Commission, the body leading the capital’s cleanup and renewal programme. They expressed fears of displacement and accused the project of encroaching on ancestral land.

During a heated committee session, Minority Leader and Planning Committee member Antony Kiragu made it clear that the Assembly would not allow the project to proceed under the guise of affordable housing at the expense of local communities.

“We have instructed the CEC for Planning, Mr. Mbogo, to halt all planning activities in the areas that have been marked until lawful public participation is conducted with full input from affected residents,” Kiragu said.

He added that many Kangemi families had deep historical ties to the area, stressing that they should not be intimidated or forcefully removed. “Some of these families have lived here for generations—they grew up swimming in the Nairobi River. We are asking the government to listen to the people. Using KDF or other agencies to intimidate residents is unacceptable.”

Residents insist their ownership is legally documented and not in violation of riparian boundaries. Ambassador Marx Kahende, speaking on their behalf, warned of the constitutional implications of the plan. “Forcing us out of our private property is a violation of our rights under Article 40 of the Constitution. We should not be discriminated against in the application of the law,” he stated.

In response, Patrick Mbogo, the County Executive Committee Member for Built Environment and Urban Planning, distanced the County Government from the controversial land marking, noting that the process was being handled by a multi-agency team.

“This project is being coordinated by multiple agencies,” Mbogo told the committee. “It would be appropriate to summon all involved stakeholders to address these concerns.”

The Planning Committee has pledged to summon the Nairobi Rivers Commission and other relevant bodies to provide clarity on the project’s scope, mandate, and legal basis before any further work can continue.