Gimu estate residents in Athi River protest over grabbed land

Angry residents of GIMU Estate in Athi River on Saturday staged a peaceful demonstration to protest the alleged grabbing of a road reserve for the construction of a church. The residents said they have been locked in a long-running struggle to assert their right to use the road, accusing authorities of frustrating their efforts to seek redress. According to the residents, the disputed road is the only access route linking Phase One and Phase Two of the estate and its blockage has inconvenienced them. On his part, Fr Francis Maundu, the Catholic Church trustee in Machakos, said the church has held consultations with the county physical planner and the county lands director. He said the church is not opposed to any lawful guidance issued on the matter.