Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai is back in the spotlight, not for his activism or politics, but for his alleged role in a land-grabbing scandal in Runda.
The outspoken blogger-turned-politician now finds himself under public scrutiny after a local investor accused him of illegally occupying his property.
While Alai has attempted to push back through a flurry of online statements and blame-shifting, many Kenyans are finding his defense weak and desperate.
As the scandal unfolds, critics say Alai’s response raises more questions than it answers—and could mark the beginning of a serious political fall.
Robert Alai lashes out over land grabbing case
Robert Alai has come out swinging in response to damning accusations that he forcibly took over land in the upscale Runda neighborhood. But his defense has only added fuel to the fire.
In a statement released on June 30, Alai accused the landowner, his lawyer, and a local media house of launching a coordinated online smear campaign. He claimed that these actors had “orchestrated trolling, defamation, and public shaming” to sway public opinion and influence the court case.
Instead of focusing on the specifics of the land dispute, Alai chose to attack the character of his accuser. He suggested that the landowner had once hired 500 goons to destroy the same property—a shocking claim, but one made without any verifiable evidence. He also accused the plaintiff of using at least six other individuals to harass him and manipulate the judiciary.
Yet for many observers, Alai’s loud deflection tactics sound hollow. Despite stating that the matter is sub judice and should be handled in court, he continues to wage his own media war through emotional outbursts and legal threats. The contradiction is striking.
Alai further claimed that his accuser’s online efforts could violate Kenya’s Defamation Act and the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act. While warning against “media trials” and “social media lynching,” he ironically took to the same platforms to defend himself instead of letting the law take its course.
The video that changed everything
The tipping point came just days before Alai’s statement. A disturbing video surfaced online, showing a heated confrontation between the investor and Alai’s associates. In the footage, the investor accuses the MCA of forcibly removing him from land he has owned for over three decades.
His lawyer added fuel to the claims, saying that the investor was assaulted during the altercation and was now seeking legal redress.
This was not just another Twitter spat. It was visual proof that something serious had occurred—and Kenyans paid attention.
Suddenly, Alai’s counter-accusations and legal jargon seemed like smoke and mirrors. While the MCA insists he’s followed all court procedures, the public is asking why a man with nothing to hide is shouting so loudly on social media.
Alai’s credibility takes a hit
Robert Alai has built his brand on being a vocal watchdog—exposing corruption, attacking rogue leaders, and standing up for the common mwananchi. But this time, the script has flipped.
Instead of a truth-teller, he now stands accused of the very evils he has long condemned: land grabbing, violence, and public manipulation.
His attempt to shift focus from the land issue to online defamation looks increasingly like an act of desperation. His decision to drag The Standard newspaper into the mix only widened the controversy.
Kenyans know the hallmarks of a weak defense—especially when it involves shouting louder than everyone else.
If Alai truly believes in the judicial system, he should stay off Twitter and let the courts decide. Instead, his rants appear to be designed to stir sympathy and distract from the core issue—whether or not he illegally took over land that does not belong to him.
