Kiembeni Residents Protest Alleged Land Grab for School Relocation

Residents of Kiembeni Blue Estate in Bamburi Ward staged protests on Monday against the proposed relocation of Kiembeni Primary School to plots meant for public utilities.

The demonstrators accuse parties involved of illegal land subdivision and demand proper public participation plus county approvals.

What Residents Demand

Protesters say the process lacks consultation, necessary county government approvals, and a valid Environmental Impact Assessment. They claim spaces reserved for a playground, police post, petrol station, church, and mosque now face subdivision.

Richard Majimbo, a resident, told ForwardPressKe the estate houses over 10,000 people yet suffers from insufficient public amenities.

“Children have nowhere to play. Then suddenly we see plots marked for public utilities being taken away. This is the reason for our cry today,” Majimbo said.

He added that residents issued a seven-day notice to the developer and gave security agencies 48 hours to evict those erecting fences. Otherwise, they warned they would remove the structures themselves.

Long-Time Residents Speak Out

Betty Makena Mohammed, who has lived in the area for over 40 years, said buyers received title deeds that clearly showed spaces for public facilities.

“This plot does not belong to an individual. We have not opposed development, but we are telling the MP to come down here and speak with us,” Mohammed said.

She called for a meeting with the developer, identified as Mistry Mulji of Fort Properties, and the area MP to resolve the matter.

Youth leader Elias Nzai Changawa expressed frustration over lack of transparency from leaders.

“It is saddening that we are facing challenges that our leaders have never told us about. If a school is being built here, the MP should tell the people of Kiembeni,” Changawa said.

He urged respect for existing court orders and noted problems such as broken sewage systems. Residents insist they support development but want full information.

In a joint statement, the group called out Kisauni Constituency MP Hon. Rashid Juma Bedzimba. They stressed that no development should violate the rule of law or harm residents’ rights and the estate’s original planning framework.

MP’s Office Responds

Seleman Mohammed Akida, a resident and coordinator from the MP’s office, defended the process. He said the MP responded to complaints about severe overcrowding at the existing Kiembeni Primary School, where children sit crowded up to the blackboard.

Akida explained that the MP held a meeting with village elders at a local church. The elders agreed and wrote a letter requesting plots from the developer.

“The MP took the letter from the village elders and residents of Kiembeni and delivered it to Mistry Mulji. Fort Properties agreed and released two plots; one for the Kiembeni Police post and the other for Kiembeni Primary School. Therefore, the MP did not come to grab land; he listened to his citizens,” Akida said.