Nairobi property developers raise concerns over harassment in Parklands
Members accused another association in Parklands of engaging in discriminatory practices.
Members of the Property Developers Welfare Society of Nairobi held a meeting on Saturday to discuss challenges affecting property developers in Parklands and other parts of the city.
The meeting was convened to find solutions to the difficulties developers face, including alleged racial discrimination, intimidation, bureaucratic delays, and harassment by county enforcement officers.
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During the meeting, members accused another association in Parklands of engaging in discriminatory practices.
According to the developers, this association does not want other Kenyans to own property in the estate and has been using intimidation to prevent property development.
Some developers reported that some of their projects had been stalled for months due to actions taken by the association in Parklands.
The developers further alleged that many projects in Parklands had been stopped because of reports made by the same individuals who initially sold the land. They accused these individuals of colluding with government officials to halt developments.
Secretary General of the Property Developers Welfare Society of Nairobi, Abdi Dahir Mohamed, has highlighted their challenges including persistent harassment by county officials (Kanjos), frequent water shortages, and difficulties in obtaining development permits. pic.twitter.com/Xokp8sIZ6p
— The Eastleigh Voice (@Eastleighvoice) February 22, 2025
The delays have caused financial losses for developers and discouraged further investment in the area.
Illegal detentions
Another issue raised was the harassment by county enforcement officers, commonly known as "kanjos." The officers were accused of demanding bribes and conducting illegal detentions that disrupted construction work.
According to the Secretary-General of the Property Developers Welfare Society of Nairobi, Abdi Dahir Mohamed, some officers demand as much as Sh200,000 to release detained workers.
"The officers arrest people working on properties illegally and demand money to let them go. This affects development and increases costs for developers," said Abdi.
Chairman of Nairobi Property Developers Welfare Society Abdirahman Shibli while addressing members on February 22, 2025. (Photo: Abdirahman Khalif)
He also highlighted delays in obtaining necessary approvals for construction projects, stating that the bureaucratic process causes significant inconvenience.
"We experience a lot of delays when seeking approvals. As you know, we cannot start any development without these documents," he said.
Access to water was also identified as a major challenge. Developers pointed to difficulties in obtaining water connections from the Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company. They noted that selling homes and buildings without a reliable water supply has been challenging, impacting their businesses.
Nairobi’s Urban Planning Chief Patrick Analo assures property developers of action on harassment and bribery concerns. pic.twitter.com/14ziwcdL9O
— The Eastleigh Voice (@Eastleighvoice) February 22, 2025
The Chairman of the Property Developers Welfare Society of Nairobi, Abdirahman Shibli, urged members to remain united in addressing their concerns. He emphasized that collective action was necessary to resolve these challenges and protect their interests.
"We must stay united and support each other. We will organize a larger meeting after Ramadan, which will include Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, to find lasting solutions," said Abdirahman.
He also called on all developers to join the association, arguing that it serves as a platform to advocate for their rights and push for policy changes that benefit the industry.
Following the meeting, Nairobi County's Chief Officer of Urban Development and Planning, Patrick Analo Akivaga, responded to the concerns raised.
Speaking to Eastleigh Voice, he acknowledged the difficulties faced by developers, particularly harassment by city askaris and the demand for bribes.
"I have assured them that moving forward, we are introducing digital identification cards that will allow city residents to verify the identities of county officers," Akivaga said.
He explained that the new system would help distinguish legitimate officers from impostors and prevent cases of bribery and unlawful detentions.
Despite the ongoing challenges, the Property Developers Welfare Society of Nairobi vowed to continue advocating for its members and ensuring that they can carry out their work without unnecessary hindrances. The association reaffirmed its commitment to following government regulations while pushing for reforms to improve the business environment for property developers in the city.
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