Why Senators wants multi-billion investment at Lang'ata's Phenom Estate stopped

The Senate has urged Nairobi County and the National government to move swiftly and stop the construction of a multi-billion investment at Lang’ata’s Phenom Estate.

Through its Committee on Lands and Natural Resources, the Senate said the development by an Indian developer Swaminarayan is blocking access to Wilson Airport posing great risks to the facility which can hinder with emergency evacuations.

The project believed to be a private school is also said to have blocked sewer lines, tampered with drainage systems and blocked public roads which result in flooding when it rains.

According to the committee which site visited the construction, a Nairobi court had issued orders stopping the construction on grounds that the private developer allegedly grabbed the piece of land which had been marked as public land.

Led by chairperson Senator Hamida Kibwana, the committee further said the developer did not do proper public participation as stipulated in the law.

The committee questioned how the two levels of government would allow the investor by name Swaminarayan to undertake such a massive construction in a flight path area.

Senator Hamida said the construction believed to a private school does not only pose a risk to the aviation sector but unfairly takes a playground for the residents of Phenom Estate.

The Senator said while the idea of building educational facilities should normally be welcomed, the said project not only sits directly under active flight path but is also extremely at the end of its runway.

She said the fact that airplanes will land and take off just above classrooms will create constant noise and vibrations which will definitely affect the learners.

Senator Faki Mohamed said the National Environment Management Authority will be put task to explain whether there was any risk assement undertaken before they authorized the construction.

“What we are saying is that court orders must be obeyed by the developer and this matter we are immediately taking up with NEMA,” said Faki.

The Estate’s lawyer Victor Bett told journalists that a court order was issued on June 9, 2025, explicitly halting any activity on the property, but the investor under the protection of armed security officers has ignored the orders and proceeded with construction.

Mr Bett said the violation not only undermines judicial authority but also exposes the deep-rooted challenges in enforcing legal protections for vulnerable landowners.

He said the piece of land in question has long been used as a playground for children and served as a recreational space where kids could enjoy outdoor activities, from soccer matches to birthday parties.

“Aviation authorities have long warned that areas close to airports are high-risk zones, unsuitable for schools, hospitals, or densely populated establishments, how is it then the same authorities are turning a blind eye to this construction?, he questioned.

Some of the residents who spoke to the committee said the 24-hour construction is heavily guarded by police who intimidate and threaten those who try to raise questions.

The residents further said the massive construction activities in the cover of night have left their houses with cracked walls, ceilings and floors.

“The more the goes on, the more these cracks are expanding which is a great risk to the houses surrounding the project,” one of the residents said.

The residents further accused area Member of Parliament for colluding with some of the private developers and using hired goons to silence dissenting voices.