NAIROBI, July 8, 2025 Activist Okiya Omtatah has filed a petition in the Environment and Land Court seeking to stop the ongoing Southlands Affordable Housing Project in Lang’ata, Nairobi, citing alleged illegalities and environmental violations.
In Petition No. E052 of 2025, Omtatah claims the government is undertaking the construction of 17-storey residential blocks comprising over 15,000 housing units on land reserved as a road and rail buffer zone, without public participation or mandatory environmental and social impact assessments.
Omtatah argues that the development, being implemented under Contract No. MLPWHUD/SDHUD/SUD/382/2023-2024 (Lots 1–5), is unlawful from the outset and poses a threat to residents’ privacy, safety, property values, and overall urban planning integrity.
He accuses the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) of failing in its oversight role, saying it acknowledged the project had not undergone any EIA but merely “advised” the developers to comply, rather than halting construction.
“The dust, noise, and debris being dumped against residents’ backyard walls are already unbearable,” the petition reads, warning of damage to homes, infrastructure strain, worsening water scarcity, and increased insecurity due to a projected population spike.
Omtatah also raises security concerns due to the project’s proximity to Ulinzi Barracks and Wilson Airport, suggesting the high-rise buildings could interfere with national defense and aviation safety.
