SEPU faces losing 12.6-acre Nairobi land to affordable housing as MPs demand answers

The School Equipment Production Unit (SEPU) in Nairobi is threatened with the loss of its 12.6-acre land in Imara Daima to an affordable housing initiative, prompting Parliament to scrutinize the issue. The Education Committee, chaired by Julius Melly, raised concerns over the development on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, after SEPU identified this land issue as a major operational and governance risk.

SEPU CEO Joel Mabonga testified before MPs that SEPU holds the title to the 12.6-acre property, but claimed there had been no formal communication with the Affordable Housing Programme concerning the proposed development. The dispute revolves around the amount of land that would be designated to the housing program. Documents showed that SEPU’s Board had proposed 30% of the property for the Affordable Housing Programme, while the housing program reportedly aimed for the full 12.6-acre parcel, potentially leaving SEPU landless for operations or expansion.

Mabonga stated SEPU had raised the matter with its parent ministry and would submit ownership documents to the committee. This disclosure prompted the committee to intervene, demanding clarity from Parliament on whether the Affordable Housing Programme can proceed with the entire Imara Daima parcel when SEPU asserts ownership. The committee chair described the process as "unprocedural."

Parliament now awaits explanations from the relevant ministries, with the Lands Ministry and SEPU’s parent ministry expected to clarify the proposed development, ownership, allocation, and administrative process behind the planned development. SEPU currently faces other financial and operational challenges, including Ksh28.32 million in pending bills and only 56 employees out of an authorized workforce of 112.

The committee also directed SEPU to prepare a framework for mobile laboratories to support science education in areas lacking adequate facilities.