A private developer has taken legal action to secure a demolition order to displace approximately 80 families residing on the land within Nyama Villa Estate in Kayole.

In a statement made on Sunday, an official from Muthithi Investments clarified that the planned demolition would exclusively target these 80 homeowners.

The developer's position is based on their assertion that these property owners had failed to comply with the terms of the land sale agreement, which was established following a court ruling affirming their rightful ownership of the land.

The investment firm emphasized that the 80 households in question had not fulfilled their payment obligations.

"We are compelled to demolish the homes of these 80 families not out of desire but due to necessity," explained an official from the company.

The demolition efforts on this land had previously been suspended in 2018, following an appeal by former President Uhuru Kenyatta for the developers to negotiate with the residents.

In response to President Uhuru's intervention, the company decided to subdivide the land into approximately 304 plots and requested the occupants to meet their financial commitments.

Nevertheless, a segment of the residents failed to comply with the agreed-upon terms.

"120 of the occupants continue to meet their payment obligations as originally agreed," the official added.

The contested land, spanning approximately 20 acres, has been entangled in legal disputes for over a decade.

Land grabbing incidents in the country have been on the rise, with innocent buyers often losing their properties.

Earlier this month, occupants on land owned by East African Portland Cement (EAPC Plc) in Machakos suffered losses when their homes were demolished by the government.

Additionally, individuals residing on land owned by the late businessman Gerishon Kirima may also face eviction if a resolution is not reached before December 2023.