Construction of the Southlands Affordable Housing Project located in Lang’ata has been halted by the Environment and Land Court, just days after the local residents staged protests over the project.
In orders released on December 11, Judge Charles Mbogi ordered that all current construction activity be put on hold pending the determination of a petition filed in this matter by Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah.
The court granted conservatory orders to stay the erection of the social housing and the associated infrastructure works as part of the scheme in the lots numbered 1 to 5, contracted under the contract number MLPWHUD/SDHUD/SUD/382/2023-2024.
Omtatah petitioned the courts earlier this year, alleging that this project contravenes the Constitution on several fronts. Through his case, Omtatah argues that this development process involves the use of public land, claiming that it occupies a road reserve that was illegally converted from public land to private property.
He also expressed concern that the size of the project may tax Lang’ta’s already weak infrastructural base. The petitioners claimed that this new housing estate is expected to attract as many as 70,000 new people into the area, which may put pressure on the supply of water resources as well as sanitation to cause a health crisis.
Further, the senator also criticized the project on environmental and planning aspects, arguing that it lacks the necessary environmental impact assessment. He also cited a dispute regarding the residents’ right to privacy, claiming that the proposed buildings will be too high when measured against the maisonette homes of neighboring residents.
The role of public participation in this whole process stands at the center of the dispute. Omtatah states that public participation was inadequate because approvals occurred before the process followed the necessary constitutional and legal requirements.
Residents living in the area around the site of the new development have also aired similar concerns. While some of the residents fear their property value could decline by 5-15%, others fear the high-rise buildings threaten to overlook their houses. Another major fear among the citizens revolves around the issue of displacement and who will benefit from the housing units.
The situation went south last week when the Lang’ata Member of Parliament, Felix Jalang’o, led the local residents in protesting against the construction process. The protesters, who were blowing whistles and holding placards, walked to the Ardhi House along the Ngong Road.
After the protests, the Ministry of Housing agreed to put off the proposed evictions and demolitions related to the project pending the resolution of the residents’ concerns. The move momentarily stopped the resettlement process at the project.
The Southlands Affordable Housing Project is an important scheme for the relevant authorities, as it targets the provision of 15,960 housing units in 60 high-rise buildings as housing associated with other facilities and services like the construction of a primary school, community halls, shops, pathways, and modern water and waste management facilities.
Despite the objectives, the project has encountered intense resistance, including court cases, reminiscent of the days in estates such as Makongeni Estate, where court intervention was sought regarding eviction, compensation, and participation. The court is expected to deliver its verdict on the issue on February 5, 2026.
