A bitter land dispute has erupted between members of Bondeni Maili Saba Jua Kali Association and the Nairobi County Government over ownership of a 152-acre parcel in Njiru, Embakasi.

The association has accused City Hall of forcefully moving onto the contested land despite an existing court order barring interference.

Through lawyer Wambo Muayala, the informal workers allege that county officials, working alongside hired groups, have forcefully occupied the land, displaced residents, and begun subdivision and development.

In an affidavit filed at the Environment and Land Court, association member Segbo Gagi stated: “These illegal activities being carried out openly on the disputed property have caused immense unrest, tension and frequent confrontations between the perpetrators, potential buyers and the legitimate occupants of the land.”

The dispute traces back to March 31, when the county government issued a notice announcing the subdivision of the parcel and inviting potential buyers to acquire plots.

The group moved to court, and on April 7 Justice Charles Mbogo granted interim orders stopping the county from selling, alienating or interfering with the property known as Plot LR No 27329 (Original No 10905, Embakasi).

The association, however, claims the county has disregarded those orders and is pressing ahead with the contested plans.

In a fresh application filed under a certificate of urgency, the group said: “Despite clear and unequivocal status quo orders, officials of the Nairobi County Government, acting in concert with and utilising hired goons, have embarked on a brazen and unlawful exercise of illegally selling portions of the disputed property to unsuspecting individuals.”

They further allege that their members have been forcibly evicted from homes on the land and warned that the situation is increasingly dangerous.

“The situation on the disputed property has become extremely volatile, posing a severe and imminent threat to the peace and security of the area, with a high risk of violence and potential loss of lives,” the affidavit reads.

The group has asked the court to summon Governor Johnson Sakaja to explain why he should not be held in contempt of the interim orders.

They want him committed to civil jail for six months or, alternatively, have a penalty imposed on the county government for disobeying court directions.

On August 9, Justice Christine Ochieng declined to certify the matter urgent but directed both sides to file and serve their responses before the hearing scheduled for October 6.