Lands CS Zechariah Njeru commissions taskforce to address Nubian land issues

Lands, Housing and Urban Development Cabinet Secretary Zachariah Njeru making his remarks during the Kenya Affordable housing conference 2022 on 23rd November at KICC. [Denis Kibuchi, Standard]

Lands Cabinet Secretary Zechariah Njeru has commissioned a task force that will engage the Nubian community and relevant stakeholders on the planned redevelopment of the Kibra Nubian Land and the provision of decent housing.

The 39-member task force will develop a roadmap for the redevelopment of 288 acres of land in Kibra for the Nubian community.

He said that his ministry is committed to improving the living standards of Kenyans through affordable homeownership.

The CS reiterated the government's priority to create a decent, clean, and futuristic living community.

The team will give a clear roadmap with practical strategies after a comprehensive public participation process and consultation with community stakeholders, as envisaged in the land redevelopment master plan.

The task force is chaired by Dr Ahmed Yakub Kalebi who expressed optimism that the land redevelopment project will address the pressing need for decent housing for a growing Nubian community. Kalebi will be deputized by Said Athman and George Arwa.

They are expected to present an interim report to the CS in the next two weeks, detailing an outline of the scheduled public participation forums that will be announced as part of efforts to create public awareness and sensitization on the project.

The team will also engage elders, scholars, and residents from the Nubian Community as well as other communities to discuss historical perspectives, challenges faced, and efforts that were pursued in the past relating to the Kibra Land.

CS Njeru said that with this project, the Ministry hopes that it will make a real difference in the lives of many families, create jobs for youths, and plug the housing deficit in Kibra.

The other members of the task force are Abiba Ahmed, Abraham Nduati Njoroge, Ali Hassan Bakhit, Ann Mugo, Dr Asha Mohamed Abdulrahim, Augustine Masinde, Carol Amondi, Caroline Karugu, Prof David Kuria, Douglas Karago, Duncan Samuel Mwangi Wahihia, Esmail Ali, Fatuma Abdulrahman, Geoffrey Gangla, George Arwa, Marius Kipngetich Keter, Gore Mohammed, Halima Dube Ursuna, Hussein Mahamud, Hussein Mahamud Ibrahim, Ibrahim Yunis and Jamaldin Yahya.

Others are James Wahome, Dr Jane Aminis, Jennifer Nduati, Malassen Hamida Twahir, Marion Rono, Mary Ndung'u, Oliver Kipchumba Mutai, Dr Musa Mohamed Ramadhan, Peter Chemorai, Shafi Ali Hussein, Stephen Gatheru Ndirangu, Suleiman Juma Aganas, Zalika Khalfan and George Oner Ogalo.

Carol Mundia and John Kimani are part of the secretariat.