This archive report was first published on 29 June 2020.
Langata Estates are in the crosshairs of the Environment Ministry, which has announced plans to demolish several multi-billion estates in the area. The move follows a directive by President Uhuru Kenyatta, issued through the Ministry's Cabinet Secretary, Keriako Tobiko, on June 26, 2020.
According to the directive, over 70% of residents in the affected estates have mortgaged their title deeds to banks and financial institutions. This means that banks will now be reluctant to give loans using title deeds as collateral, leaving homeowners in a precarious situation.
Some of the estates set for demolition include Sun Valley (Phases 1-3), Forest View, Lang'ata Place, Lang'ata View Apartments, Royal Park, St Mary's Apartment, Kenya Medical Association Lang'ata, Shalom estates, and Lang'ata Gardens.
Beatrice Mwende, who was recently convicted of murdering her four children, is not directly related to the demolitions, but her case highlights the complexities of land ownership and the consequences of illegal land acquisition.
