The flagship Affordable Housing Project in Mukuru kwa Ruben has narrowly escaped destruction after a suspected arson attack, exposing the volatile underbelly of Nairobi’s land politics. Police have arrested a key suspect believed to be part of a cartel opposed to the slum upgrading initiative.

The fire, which broke out in the early hours of the morning, targeted the construction storage units. Swift action by the Nairobi County fire brigade and local vigilantes prevented the inferno from spreading to the completed units, which are set to house thousands of slum dwellers. The arrest of the suspect, a known enforcer for local land grabbers, points to a deliberate campaign of sabotage.

Sabotage from the Shadows

"This was not an accident," declared the area MP during a site visit. "There are people who have profited from the misery of Mukuru for decades. They own the shanties, they collect the rent, and they see decent housing as a threat to their business model."

The Mukuru project is a litmus test for the President’s housing agenda. By replacing shacks with high-rises, the state is effectively seizing control of the land from the cartels. The arson attack is their violent retort. The suspect is currently being interrogated at the Industrial Area Police Station, with detectives looking for the financiers behind the attack.

• The Human Cost: Had the fire spread, it would have displaced hundreds of families already living in the precariously crowded settlement. The incident has heightened tensions in the area, with residents demanding armed guards for the project.
• The IPOA Angle: The arrest comes amidst a broader crackdown in the area, following the shooting of 24-year-old Shukri Adan Ibrahim by police last week. The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) is detaining two officers, adding to the volatile mix of crime and police excess in the slum.

A War for the Slums

The battle for Mukuru is far from over. As the government pushes to formalize the settlement, the entrenched interests of the "slumlord" economy are fighting back with fire and violence. Today’s arrest is a victory, but the residents know that as long as the cartels walk free, their new homes remain in the crosshairs.