Court Steps In to Stop Housing Project on Contested Mau Mau Site

The High Court of Kenya in Kiambu County has ordered the immediate suspension of a housing project in Githunguri, directing that all construction works on the disputed land stop.

In a ruling delivered by Justice Bahati Mwamuye, the court instructed the contractor to vacate the 58-acre site and remove all structures already in place. This includes demolishing the perimeter wall and clearing machinery and fencing. The judge further ordered that the land be restored to its original condition pending a full hearing of the case.

The disputed land, known locally as Githunguri Kia Wairera, is regarded by the Kikuyu community as a sacred site. Elders describe it as both a place of spiritual importance and a historical location linked to the execution of Mau Mau Uprising fighters during the colonial period. They maintain that the site represents both ancestral heritage and the history of resistance.

Tensions increased when elders attempting to conduct traditional rituals at the site were prevented by police. They later carried out symbolic rites by the roadside, including breaking a calabash, which they said was intended to express opposition to the development.

The petition was filed by lawyer Njoroge Mwangi, together with the Agikuyu Council of Elders and local groups. The petitioners argue that the project proceeded without adequate public participation. They contend that the development threatens cultural identity and risks severing the community’s link to its history.

The housing project forms part of the government’s Affordable Housing Programme, a key policy promoted by President William Ruto. The plan includes the construction of more than 2,000 housing units on the site.