The anti-graft watchdog has launched investigations after private developers grabbed a water firm’s piece of land in Nairobi and began to build houses.
Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission (EACC) detectives yesterday visited the plot in Loresho, where the Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company has put up a water reservoir.
The developers, who are yet to be identified, have hived off part of the land and are building some houses.
They have erected stone walls on two sides, leaving the reservoir and offices of the water company standing in the middle, with no space for expansion.
One of the developers has stationed some young men on the property to scare away anyone seeking to make enquiries.
BOW AND ARROWS
During a visit to the area Tuesday, the Nation team saw about 20 men, some armed with rungus while one carried a bow and arrows.
The EACC team was escorted by armed Administration Police officers.
At any given time the reservoir holds 9 million litres of water, which is pumped to city estates that include Gigiri, Loresho, Spring Valley, Nyari and Kyuna.
The company had plans to install more storage tanks due to the rising demand for water, but the piece of land is now being contested.
“We shall make sure the title deed reverts to where it belongs. We shall work with the National Land Commission to put this matter behind us as soon as possible.
“This is another riddle like the Lang’ata Road saga,” said EACC spokesman Yasin Aila.
Workers at the reservoir, who requested anonymity, said the construction began last year.
One of the walls was pulled down when Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero visited the site last year but construction has now resumed, they added.
The matter was reported to EACC by the Loresho Residents Association.
Loresho Community Liaison Officer Michael Wallace said the county government had earmarked the wall for demolition. – Nation
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