Shollei Claims Kibera Sits on 728 Acres of Government Land, Makes Remarks on Landlords

Deputy National Assembly Speaker Gladys Shollei has sparked debate over land ownership and rental charges in Kibera after claiming that the informal settlement sits on 728 acres of government land.

Shollei questioned the legitimacy of individuals who collect rent from houses in the densely populated Nairobi neighbourhood, arguing that the people charging tenants are not necessarily the legal owners of the land.

According to her remarks, some individuals have established lucrative rental businesses on public land while residents continue to struggle with housing costs.

She described those collecting rent as “cartels” and “rent sharks” and alleged that some of them live in affluent neighbourhoods such as Karen while benefiting financially from tenants in Kibera.

The remarks have reignited questions about public land, housing affordability and the people who control rental properties in one of Nairobi’s most densely populated settlements.

In her statement, Shollei maintained that the 728 acres occupied by Kibera belong to the government, challenging the assumption that those collecting rent automatically have legitimate ownership rights over the properties.

She argued that Kenyans were being exploited through rental arrangements that could allow individuals to profit from land they do not legally own.

Her comments place the spotlight on the distinction between owning a house, holding legal rights to land and collecting rent from tenants.

However, the specific ownership status of individual parcels and buildings would need to be established through official land records and relevant legal documents.

Kibera has long been associated with challenges involving informal housing, inadequate infrastructure and disputes over land ownership.

The question of who owns the land and who has the legal right to collect rent has featured in public debates for decades.

Historical parliamentary debates have also addressed allegations that individuals were collecting rent from properties situated on public land.

In those discussions, lawmakers raised concerns about high rental charges and the rights of residents.

More recently, questions surrounding the occupation and subletting of public housing in Kibra have drawn attention to the management of government property and whether intended beneficiaries are receiving the benefits of housing programmes.

Shollei’s remarks could renew calls for the government to establish the legal status of disputed properties, investigate allegations of unlawful occupation and protect tenants from exploitation.

Any action, however, would require proper verification of land ownership, consideration of existing legal rights and compliance with the law.

For Kibera residents, the central concern remains access to affordable and secure housing without fear of arbitrary rent increases or displacement.

The debate now raises a broader question: if public land is being used to generate private rental income, who should benefit from that money, and what protections should be available to the people living there?

The answers will depend on verified ownership records, transparent administration of public land and enforcement of applicable housing and property laws.

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