Machakos, April 22, 2026
By Lilian Munini
A simmering land dispute in Mumbuni, Machakos County, has triggered protests from residents, even as Scott Christian University insists it holds valid ownership documents for the contested parcel.
The disagreement centres on a piece of land measuring slightly over three acres, which residents claim has long been used as a community playground and sports field.
Tensions rose after individuals said to be associated with the university reportedly began erecting a perimeter fence around the property.
Residents who spoke to The Anchor described the land as historically significant to the community, arguing that it has been in public use for generations.
However, these assertions remain undocumented in formal land records presented so far.
“This field is historic and has been passed down from our forefathers. We cannot understand why it is being taken away,” said Fred Lau a leading Civil Society activist, reflecting a widely held sentiment among protesters.
Civil society voices have also weighed in, with Jacob Ngumi alleging that the fencing was undertaken without adequate public engagement.
He indicated that sections of the community are considering legal redress, among other avenues, to challenge the move.
Local leadership has framed the matter as both a land question and a social concern.
Machakos Central Ward MCA Nicholas Nzioka warned that the possible loss of the field could deprive young people of a key recreational space, potentially exposing them to social risks. However, Nzioka, the Majority Leader at the Machakos County Assembly did not offer a way forward, his leadership position notwithstanding.
Sports stakeholders echoed similar concerns. FKF Machakos Branch Youth Representative Festus Mutuku claimed the field is the only accessible facility for organized football activities in the area, hosting regular matches and youth engagements.
On its part, the university has firmly rejected claims of a land grab.
In a response to The Anchor, a spokesperson stated that the institution holds a valid title to the land and is not seeking to dispossess the community.
The university further maintains that it has historically coexisted with the surrounding community, allowing access to some of its facilities without conflict—a relationship it says it remains open to sustaining.
Nonetheless, the university has had running feuds with the community as it attempted to close a road that cuts through the institution that is internally considered an inconvenience.
According to the institution, the current dispute arose during a routine land beaconing exercise near Mavivye Market, where it has already established a kindergarten.
The process, it says, is part of clarifying its boundaries rather than expanding them.
Efforts to calm the situation are underway. Mumbuni Chief Mathew Mulee has called for dialogue, urging both parties to engage constructively as the matter is addressed.
He acknowledged that allegations have been raised against local administrators including himself but emphasized that any such claims would require verification.
University administrator Ben Gichuhi, who attended a public baraza on the issue, appealed for patience as consultations continue.
For now, the situation reflects a broader and often sensitive reality: while land ownership is ultimately determined through documentation and legal processes, community use—especially for shared spaces like playgrounds—remains a deeply felt need.
As the dispute unfolds, both the question of legal ownership and the community’s demand for accessible recreational space are likely to shape the path toward a lasting resolution.
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