Lands and Housing CS Alice Wahome answers questions on the floor of the Senate at Parliament buildings on August 5,2026. [Elvis Ogina, Standard]
Lands Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome came under sharp scrutiny in the Senate over the rising cases of public school land grabbing, as lawmakers demanded to know what the government is doing to protect learning institutions from encroachment.
Appearing before the Senate plenary on Wednesday, Wahome responded to concerns over widespread cases of public school land being invaded or allegedly grabbed by private developers, with senators warning that many institutions remain vulnerable because they lack title deeds.
The lawmakers lamented that several schools have recently been targeted by goons allegedly hired by land grabbers to intimidate school management and pave the way for illegal occupation.
The matter arose during the consideration of a question by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna on the ownership of land occupied by Martin Luther Primary School in Buruburu, Makadara Constituency.
Sifuna sought clarification on the ownership status of L.R. No. 209/4401, where the school stands, and requested a history of all leases, grants, allocations, subdivisions and other land transactions involving the property since 1957.
"In just the last three weeks, there was an attack by goons at the school. Could the CS provide details on any leases, grants, allocations, subdivisions or other land transactions undertaken in respect of the parcel since 1957? What action has the Ministry taken regarding complaints by the school's board of management over encroachment and attempts by certain individuals to grab the land?" Sifuna asked.
Wahome acknowledged that Martin Luther Primary School has been operating without a title deed but said the Ministry had initiated the process of securing one after investigating the matter.