Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has ordered police action in Ruiru, placing residents’ security concerns under national attention.
The directive targets Two Rivers Crescent and Imani Estates in Mukuyu. Residents there have reported intimidation, alleged illegal occupation and threats linked to land ownership.
Murkomen issued the order after meeting representatives of the estates on Wednesday, alongside senior security officials. He instructed Inspector General Douglas Kanja to ensure that people occupying the properties unlawfully are removed.
The Cabinet Secretary also warned that anyone found misusing firearms would face legal action. He said even licensed gun holders could lose their licences if investigations establish that they had broken the law.
The intervention comes as residents seek protection amid competing claims over the disputed properties. Some residents maintain that they acquired their plots legally and hold title deeds, while other claims over the land have been challenged.
Media reports indicate that members of the family of the late former intelligence chief James Kanyotu have challenged some transactions involving the disputed land.
Those competing claims make the police role particularly sensitive. Security officers are expected to prevent intimidation and protect people, but land ownership must be determined through the proper legal processes.
Murkomen also warned police officers against neglecting their duties or failing to respond appropriately to complaints. Officers found culpable, he said, would face disciplinary action.
The government has promised to increase police deployments in Ruiru and provide the local police station with an additional vehicle. The measures are intended to strengthen patrols and improve response times in the affected neighbourhoods.
Deputy Inspector General Eliud Lagat urged residents to share credible information with security agencies. Directorate of Criminal Investigations Director Mohamed Amin also said security agencies would not allow criminal gangs to operate.
However, Murkomen did not announce a timetable for the operation or explain how the disputed ownership claims would be resolved. That leaves residents waiting to see how quickly the promised measures will be implemented.
For families living in the estates, the immediate concern is safety, while property owners also want their legal rights respected. Can the government restore security in Ruiru while ensuring that every land claim is handled fairly under the law?
Sources
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