Eastleigh developer protests NLCs claim on land

Eastleigh developer protests NLCs claim on land

The National Land Commission (NLC) is now on the spot after its chair, Prof Muhammad Swazuri, condemned the construction of the controversial Eastleigh mall in Nairobi four months after approving it’s construction.

On Wednesday, Swazuri visited the site in Eastleigh and condemned the construction work saying it was illegal to build the mall on the contested public land.

He further intimated that a court order had already been issued stopping the works but had been ignored by the private developer undertaking the project.

“This is public land that has been set aside for a market place,” said Swazuri when he visited the site.

He said NLC was working with the county commissioner to ensure the court order stopping the construction is obeyed.

The visit and statement by Swazuri contradicts an earlier letter he had written to Nairobi Governor, Dr Evans Kidero, giving a nod for the construction of the mall.

In the letter dated July 28, 2016, Swazuri noted that the controversial parcel of land was duly allocated by the Nairobi City County since 1969 and had been transferred severally.

“From records availed to us, including your letters of 30th May, 2016 and 23rd July, 2016, you have confirmed that the subject parcel of land was duly allocated by yourselves since 1969. It has then been transferred severally, upto the hands of Alfa Traders, who are now developing it,” read Swazuri’s letter dated July 28, 2016.

The letter further noted that the County Government of Nairobi “confirmed that one entire floor shall be surrendered to the county government and be reserved for the 403 traders, who were the intended beneficiaries of the land.”

NLC said that since the ownership of the land was not contested by the county government, then the development would go on.

“We are of the opinion that since the county government has not contested the ownership, this matter be rested there,” concluded Swazuri.

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Swazuri NLC Lands eastleigh market

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