Residents of Kiembeni Blue Estate in Bamburi Ward in Kisauni Constituency protested on Monday to demand public participation in the proposed relocation of Kiembeni Primary School to vacant plots originally earmarked for public utilities.

The residents claim the process lacks adequate consultation, necessary approvals from the county government and a valid environmental impact assessment.

They accuse parties involved of illegal land subdivision and grabbing of spaces meant for amenities such as playgrounds, a police station, a petrol station, a church and mosque.

Speaking to the press, Richard Majimbo, a resident, said the estate, which houses more than 10,000 people, was developed without sufficient space for public utilities.

“Children have nowhere to play. Then suddenly, we see plots marked for public utilities being taken away. This is the reason for our cry, today, that those involved should come and stop this land grabbing,” he said.

Majimbo explained that residents have issued a seven-day notice to the developer and given 48 hours to security agencies to evict those erecting fences, warning that they would remove the structures themselves if no action is taken.

Betty Makena Mohammed who has lived in the area for over 40 years said buyers were shown title deeds indicating spaces for public facilities.

 “This plot does not belong to an individual. We have not opposed development, but we are telling Member of Parliament Rashid Juma Bedzimba to come and talk to us – the people of Kiembeni Blue, so we can understand each other,” she said.

Mohammed questioned how the land was allocated without involving homeowners and called for a meeting with the developer identified as Mistry Mulji of Fort Properties as well as the area MP. Youth leader Elias Nzai Changawa expressed concern over the lack of transparency.

“It is saddening that we are facing challenges that our leaders have never told us about or been transparent with us. If a school is being built here, the MP should tell the people of Kiembeni that he is bringing a school to us,” he said.

Changawa noted ongoing issues such as broken sewage systems and urged respect for existing court orders. He emphasised that residents do not reject development but insist on being informed about its nature.

In a joint statement, the residents called out Kisauni Constituency MP Rashid Juma Bedzimba over the proposed school construction on public utility land. They argued that no development should proceed in violation of the rule of law or at the expense of residents’ rights and the estate’s development plan.

Seleman Mohammed Akida a resident and coordinator in the MP’s office defended the process. He said the MP acted on complaints by Kiembeni residents about overcrowding at Kiembeni Primary School where classrooms are overflow with learners.

Akida explained that the MP convened a meeting with village elders at a local church. The elders agreed and wrote a letter requesting a plot from developer Mulji of Fort Properties.

“The MP took the letter from the village elders and residents of Kiembeni and delivered it to Mistry Mulji. Fort Properties agreed and released two plots. One is for the Kiembeni Police Post and the other for Kiembeni Primary School. Therefore, the MP did not come to grab land; he listened to his citizens,” Akida said.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Ramadhan Nassib