Aasai

President William Ruto has waded into a long-standing land dispute in Nairobis Ruaraka area by ordering the immediate withdrawal of police officers from the contested Baba Dogo grounds. The directive, issued on Thursday during his inspection of the Climate Worx Programme in the area, marks a major turning point in a heated standoff between residents and Kenafric Industries, a private company that claims legal ownership of the land.

Addressing the public during his tour, Ruto took a firm and emotional stance, stating that the open grounds belong to the community and must be preserved for public use. “I hear there are police officers in that field. I am giving a directive that they must leave the area immediately. They should not wait until tomorrow. The field is the rightful property of the people, and we have agreed to develop it for their benefit,” he said.

The Baba Dogo grounds, commonly referred to as the Baba Dogo playground, have for decades served as a vital social and recreational space for residents of Baba Dogo, Lucky Summer, and the neighboring informal settlement of Korogocho. Besides being a sports venue, the grounds are a cultural landmark, known for nurturing sporting talent including Harambee Stars captain Michael Olunga and Gor Mahia players Joshua Onyango and Austin Odhiambo. For many youths in the area, the field represents opportunity, hope, and community pride.

Tensions escalated in recent weeks when police officers were deployed to the grounds to secure the area for construction works reportedly initiated by Kenafric Industries. The company maintains that it is the legitimate and registered owner of the land, citing land reference number 336/109. In 2023, Kenafric won a case—E093 of 2023—in the Environment and Land Court, which granted it possession rights and allowed for the eviction of squatters. The court also authorized Ruaraka Police Station to assist in enforcing the eviction order.

However, the local community and civil society groups have contested Kenafric’s claims, accusing the company of land grabbing and ignoring the land’s historical and social value to the people. Protests have flared up periodically, including a major standoff in 2022 when Kenafric issued a gazette notice demanding that locals vacate within three months. That move was met with public outrage and demonstrations, forcing a pause on the eviction.

President Ruto’s intervention is being seen as a powerful show of support for the community and a political statement on the need to protect public spaces, especially in underprivileged urban areas. His comments have resonated with residents, who have long felt sidelined in urban planning decisions that often favor private developers.

While the President’s order has brought temporary relief, the legal battle is far from over. Kenafric has not indicated whether it will challenge the directive or seek further legal redress. The question of who legally owns the land remains unresolved, and it is likely that the matter will require additional arbitration or a possible policy-level intervention to reach a lasting solution.

For now, the people of Baba Dogo can breathe a sigh of relief. The playground remains open, the police have been ordered to leave, and President Ruto has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting spaces that empower communities and shape the dreams of the next generation.