THE Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company yesterday urged the National Land Commission to secure its land.
Company managing director Philip Gichuki said private developers have invaded the firm’s land in Loresho, Kariobangi, Dandora and the Farasi Lane reservoir.
“The Karen water treatment plant commissioned in 1971 is an important installation serving major installations in the county and must be protected at all cost,” he said when he appeared before the NLC in the National Health Insurance Fund’s boardroom.
Gichuki said the land, housing a sewage treatment plant that serves more than 80 per cent of Nairobi in Dandora, has been encroached on.
“We need to protect this treatment plant and keep encroachments at bay as it is critical as the city expands,” he said.
Gichuki said part of the company’s land in Kariobangi has been given to a private school while another part has been occupied by permanent buildings.
He said there have been several attempts to have the Karen sewage subdivided.
Gichuki said several attempts by the company to erect a fence to secure its land have been frustrated by private developers.
The developers keep bringing the fences down, he said.
He said Farasi reservoir has pipes supplying water to Kabete.
Lawyer Jackline Munyaka, representing Davjon Group, however, said her client’s land documents went through due process.
Davjon allegedly grabbed the Karen sewerage plant.
Munyaka said the now-defunct Nairobi City Council should appear before the commission to shed more light.
“The property in question is not public land. We have copies duly stamped and endorsed by the government and National Land Commission. The commission should endorse the title because it is legal and valid,”she said.
NLC vice chair Abigael Mbagaya said public utility land has never been available for allocation.