Residents of Kiambu Township Ward are demanding government action regarding allegations that public land used by Administration Police (AP) officers at Indian Bazaar has been included in an ongoing Affordable Housing Project without proper public consultation or legal disclosure.
These concerns led local leaders, church representatives, and community members to formally petition the National Land Commission, Kiambu County Government, and the State Department for Housing and Urban Development to investigate the disputed land.
At the heart of the dispute is a church and nursery school within the AP camp, whose leaders indicate they were notified that the facilities might be demolished to make way for the housing development.
Reverend Damiano Mungai, the church leader on AP grounds, stated that the congregation received verbal instructions to leave the premises without any official documentation.
The pastor mentioned that the church has served the community for over 30 years and is attended by police officers and residents from neighboring areas. He added that the nursery school in the compound mainly educates children of security personnel and local families.
According to Rev. Mungai, representatives from the housing project suggested moving the church and school to another part of the AP camp, which he said would disrupt well-established community services.
“We were told the church could be demolished, but no formal notification has been provided. This institution has been here for more than 35 years and remains significant for many families,” he stated.
The church leadership also raised concerns that construction related to the housing project has already impacted parts of the nursery school’s compound, creating worries about student safety.
Former Kiambu Township Ward MCA James ManNjenga joined residents in questioning the project’s scope, arguing that the public deserves complete information about the land designated for development.
While supporting the national affordable housing initiative, ManNjenga stated that residents are worried the project might have grown beyond the acreage initially discussed during public participation forums.
“We are not against development. Our concern is whether all legal requirements, including planning approvals, surveys, and public participation, have been followed before public land is repurposed,” he stated.
ManNjenga also called on government agencies to release all project-related documents, including approved development plans, survey maps, environmental assessments, and land ownership records.
The resident petition seeks clarification on whether the land occupied by Administration Police officers was officially designated for the housing program and if proper procedures were followed before its inclusion.
Key issues raised include the exact acreage approved for the Affordable Housing Project, the existence of change-of-user approvals, the role of the National Land Commission in any land reallocation, and whether sufficient consultations were held with affected stakeholders.
The petitioners have also questioned whether alternative housing has been arranged for officers who might be displaced by the development.
To determine the actual project boundaries, residents are requesting an independent survey involving the National Land Commission, Kiambu County Government, and the Ministry of Housing.
They have also requested a temporary halt to any demolition or construction on the disputed land until investigations are complete and the public receives detailed project information.
The petition contends that the matter is of substantial public interest as it concerns the protection of public land, security infrastructure, government project transparency, and compliance with constitutional public participation requirements.
Copies of the petition have been sent to the Kiambu County Commissioner and Kiambu County Police Commander for consideration.
As authorities review the concerns, residents, church members, and police families express hope that the dispute will be resolved through dialogue, transparency, and legal compliance.