Armed groups breach Kenyatta family-owned Northlands City, loot property

A section of a group that invaded Kenyatta family-liked Northlands City. PHOTO | NTV TWITTER   

By ADONIJAH NDEGE More by this Author

Armed groups breached the Kenyatta family-owned Northlands City near Ruiru on the

Eastern Bypass Monday as anti-government protests entered the second week.

The multi-billion property linked to former President Uhuru Kenyatta hosts the processing plant and offices of Brookside Dairy.

The invaders' motive for storming the prime property, which the family is planning to develop into a modern small city, was not immediately clear.

The gang invaded the property some minutes to noon armed with machetes and power saws. The group cut down rows of eucalyptus trees planted along the perimeter electric fence and carted away likestock grazing on the expansive property. 

On Sunday Azimio La Umoja leader Raila Odinga accused Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua of planning to sponsor young people to disrupt the coalition's planned demonstrations and create chaos in what appeared to be an escalation from last week's events.

"It has come to our attention that Mr Rigathi Gachagua is currently coordinating a major operation of mayhem against planned Azimio la Umoja protest rallies scheduled to take place in Nairobi tomorrow," the statement read in part.

Allies of the ruling UDA have accused the former President of being behind the anti-government protests that have seen the opposition rally their supporters around the rising cost of living and demand the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to open their servers.

The ongoing protests and what appear to be well-orchestrated attacks on the property of figures believed to be close to or backing Mr Odinga will likely reduce activity in an already weak economy.

Already, the business community is bracing for another week's mass protests, with Mr Odinga announcing last week that they would take place on Mondays and Thursdays.

Northlands City, a mega urban development by the Kenyatta family comprising residential, industrial and commercial units, will accommodate an estimated 250,000 people working and living within its boundaries.

Conceived in 2016 and planned by Triad Architects, the city will be built on 11,800 acres of land.

It will also include recreation facilities, a stadium, commercial centres, industrial estates, farms, schools, civic buildings and hotels.

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