A land dispute in Nairobi’s Eastleigh area has drawn the attention of the national government following concerns by residents over alleged encroachment on land set aside for public use, including facilities serving persons with disabilities and vulnerable children.
The contested one-acre parcel, located next to Starehe Boys’ Centre, has become the subject of a standoff between the management of a special needs learning centre and a local investor who leased the land in 2020 but now claims ownership.
At the centre of the dispute is Sara Esendi, a survivor of the 1998 Nairobi bomb blast, who says the land was allocated to her by the government to support disability welfare initiatives. Esendi alleges that an investor is attempting to unlawfully take over the land, claiming she has faced intimidation and efforts to force her out.
She maintains that she does not personally own the land, but holds it in trust for SAFAITH Centre Primary School, an institution she founded to support children from vulnerable communities and persons with disabilities.
According to Esendi, she leased part of the land to the investor in 2020 under an agreement that was to run until March 2025.
Tensions escalated after an access road used by residents was allegedly blocked, disrupting movement in the area and prompting intervention by security agencies and national government officials.
Starehe Assistant County Commissioner Linus Bill confirmed that the dispute is under active investigation. He said preliminary government records indicate the land was temporarily allocated to the bomb blast survivor as part of compensation measures, though ownership claims remain contested.
Authorities have also raised concerns over structures currently operating as a school on the disputed parcel, with questions emerging over their legality and registration status.
Residents say they fear that rapid development in Eastleigh could fuel land grabbing, particularly on land designated for public and social use. The government has assured the community that investigations are ongoing to establish the rightful status of the land and safeguard public interest.
