Row intensifies over land belonging to former spy chief Kanyotu in Ruiru

Residents of a 500-acre estate in Ruiru, Kiambu County are facing an intensifying dispute over land previously owned by former spy chief James Kanyotu, according to reports from KBC Digital. The Ksh10 billion portion of the land is currently under threat from invasions by unknown individuals who have been harvesting soil from designated public utility areas, blocking access roads, and chasing away residents who were excavating nearby public land.

The aggrieved property owners, who began settling in the area in 2014, claim to have the necessary ownership documents, with their environment committee chairman Patrick Ngumo, legal secretary Mike Kamau, and resident Phelomena Nyambura leading the fight against the invaders. They received a court order in July last year that nullified the sale of the land, but the decision was later overturned by the Court of Appeal after a stay order was issued.

Despite reporting the issue to the local police station, Ngumo and his group allege that security forces have been ineffective in addressing the situation. Ngumo expressed frustration at the police's inaction, stating that the residents have the requisite ownership documents for their plots. The dispute has escalated as the invaders continue to take advantage of the vacant land, further complicating an already tense situation for the estate's original inhabitants.