MP Yusuf Hassan pledges to protect public land as intruders break into Maina Wanjigi in attempt to grab land

There was drama at Maina Wanjigi Secondary School in Eastleigh’s Airbase ward on Friday morning after unknown individuals broke through the perimeter wall in an effort to seize part of the school’s property.

According to school officials, the incident happened around 2 am when armed individuals gained access to the compound by demolishing a section of the wall. Their intention, according to the school’s management, was to occupy land belonging to the school.

The school principal, Nancy Gathu, immediately alerted police officers at the nearby Airbase Police Station. Officers on duty responded quickly and dispersed the intruders before they could take control of the land. No injuries were reported during the confrontation.

Later in the day, Kamukunji Member of Parliament Yusuf Hassan visited the school in the company of security officials. He addressed the school administration, teachers, and students, assuring them that no public or government land in Kamukunji Constituency would be taken illegally while he remains in office.

“As long as I am alive and serving as Kamukunji Member of Parliament, no public or government land can be taken,” he said.

The MP stressed that the land at Maina Wanjigi Secondary School would remain school property and added that all other public lands in the constituency would continue to be protected.

He further noted that since the institution is a girls’ school, extra security measures should be put in place to safeguard the students, teachers, and facilities.

Yusuf also said that he would escalate the matter to relevant government agencies, including the Ministry of Education and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC). He said he intended to alert them to the repeated attempts by unidentified groups to seize the land.

On his official X account, the MP later stated that the police must strengthen security measures around the school to ensure that both staff and students are protected.

He emphasised the need for law enforcement to secure the school’s property, deter future invasions, and uphold the sanctity of public institutions.

"The police must take all necessary security measures to reinforce operations and protect the teachers, students, and property, as well as the sanctity of the school, and deter any similar criminal attacks in the future," he said.

The school's principal, Nancy Gathu, expressed concern for her personal safety following the incident. She said that this was the third attempt by the same group to take over the school’s land.

“My life is in danger because this group believes I am the person standing between them and the land,” she said.

She added that the incident had left her considering whether she could continue working at the institution, as the individuals behind the attacks appeared determined.

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Gathu stressed that the land targeted by the intruders was critical for the school’s future. “This is the only land available for expansion, and we cannot afford to lose it.”

She also recounted the events of the night. “I was called at around 2 am and informed that land grabbers had broken into the school. I immediately called the police, who responded,” she said.

When she arrived later in the morning, she found part of the wall had been brought down.

The principal said she could not identify the attackers. “We are dealing with people we don’t know. I don’t know their faces, but this is the third time they are attempting to break that wall,” she said.

Maina Wanjigi Secondary School, established in 1989, has an enrollment of 400 students.