Lawyer Dann Mwangi has denied allegations that he financed protests in Elburgon, Nakuru County, over a disputed plan to convert public school land into a housing project.
Mwangi was questioned on Monday at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) offices in Molo following demonstrations by residents opposing the government’s decision to allocate part of a local primary school’s land for affordable housing development.
Speaking after the session, Mwangi, a former State House official, dismissed the claims, saying they were baseless and politically driven.
"I have never organised or funded any protests. This is harassment," Mwangi said.
"If standing with the community and demanding transparency is a crime, then we have a much bigger problem in this country."
He was accompanied by lawyers Jack Mwaniki and Rosalinda Wamaitha, who criticised what they termed as attempts to silence civic voices.
"This is political intimidation," Mwaniki said.
"We are concerned that civic engagement is being treated as a threat rather than a constitutional right. Our client is being unfairly targeted for raising questions about government decisions."
Mwangi also rejected reports linking him to other protests in the area, saying he had only attended funerals and church events, activities he stressed were within his rights.
Elburgon residents have opposed the proposed housing project, arguing that the school land is critical for future educational expansion.
Civil society groups have echoed these concerns, calling for transparency and accountability in government housing projects involving public land.
Mwangi’s legal team indicated they may seek legal redress if what they described as intimidation continues.
The government’s affordable housing programme targets the construction of 200,000 units annually, with projects underway in several constituencies.
Completed or ongoing developments include the Machakos Affordable Housing Programme in Mavoko, the Pangani Affordable Housing Project in Nairobi, and Kings Sapphire in Nakuru.
