Residents of Southlands Estate in Langata are reporting ongoing disruption and distress following the initiation of a nearby Affordable Housing Project, describing a situation in which their daily routines and nocturnal hours have been heavily impacted by continuous construction activity.
The project, which involves the erection of high-rise apartments, has generated complaints from the community over both perceived intrusion into private spaces and persistent environmental disturbances.
Residents say heavy machinery operates around the clock, producing loud noise that continues into the night, while construction lights, dust, ballast, sand, and debris routinely encroach on homes, further compounding the sense of intrusion and discomfort.
Attempts to address the matter through local political channels have, according to the community, yielded little response, with area MP Phelix Odiwuor popularly known as “Jalang’o” reportedly dismissing grievances and facing speculation over personal interests tied to the project.
With legal processes related to the development already underway, affected residents continue to navigate a challenging environment in which urban expansion, regulatory compliance, and the well-being of long-term inhabitants intersect, raising questions about the balance between housing development and the protection of established communities.
Below is what the residents have described as the daily reality of living adjacent to the construction site, illustrating the intensity of the disruption and the challenges they face in seeking relief.
“Hi Nyakundi. We are residents of Southlands Estate in Langata, and our lives have been turned upside down since the launch of the Affordable Housing Project in our neighborhood. Beyond worries that the highrise apartments would invade our privacy, we are enduring noisy days and sleepless nights. The contractor on this project, completely ignoring environmental laws, is running heavy construction equipment twenty-four hours a day. We have approached our area MP Jalango to discuss these grievances, but he has given us a deaf ear. There are whispers that he may have a personal interest in the project. The lights from the working trucks and the deafening noise are unbearable. Workers shout instructions to each other in the usual construction manner, and it seems this will continue through the night. Sleeping has become impossible. Dust from ballast, sand, and debris is regularly being poured against our walls and entering our homes. Even as we wait for the other court process, we are desperate for help. We believe there are laws that can protect us, at least against noise at night. We need HELP.”
The reports from residents paint a vivid picture of lives disrupted, families deprived of sleep, and a community grappling with the uncompromising pace of construction and raises pressing questions about accountability, the role of elected representatives, and the enforcement of environmental regulations in urban development.
We will be following this story closely, documenting emerging developments, scrutinizing legal proceedings, and keeping a measured eye on the unfolding impact of the project on the Southlands Estate community.
