Robert Alai Faces Court Over Alleged Violent Land Seizure in Runda

Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai, once celebrated for exposing land scams in Nairobi, is now at the center of a disturbing land-grab scandal.

In a shocking twist, Alai stands accused of illegally seizing a multi-million shilling property in Nairobi’s upscale Runda estate.

A lawsuit filed by Cancer Investments Ltd claims that Alai and a group of armed men violently invaded the property, assaulted the company’s director, and refused to vacate.

The case has stunned many Kenyans who once viewed Alai as a champion against land cartels. His fall from whistleblower to alleged perpetrator marks a dark chapter in his political career.

Robert Alai built a public image as a defender of the people, a man who exposed land theft and corruption. But the ongoing legal battle suggests that he may now be on the other side of the law. [Photo: Courtesy]

Robert Alai Sued Over Prime Runda Land Grab in Shocking U-turn

Cancer Investments Ltd has taken Robert Alai to court, accusing him of forcefully and illegally taking over their land in Runda on March 31. The firm, through lawyer Harrison Kinyanjui, filed a petition at the Environment and Land Court, calling for Alai’s immediate removal from the property.

According to court documents, individuals linked to Alai broke into the property using crude weapons, demolished a concrete pillar at the gate, and physically attacked the company’s director, Mukhtar Ahmed Parkar.

Mr. Parkar told the court that his calls for police assistance went unanswered because Alai allegedly used his political connections to block any action.

The judge, Mohamed Kullow, certified the case as urgent and ordered that Alai, the Attorney General, and the Officer Commanding Gigiri Police Station be served ahead of the hearing set for May 19.

Cancer Investments insists that they legally bought the land from Trans National Bank in 1992 and have maintained all legal dues, including payments to Runda Water Ltd and power utility firms.

The land was recently leased to a neighboring school, and preparations for renovations were underway when Alai’s team allegedly stormed in.

The company says it has never entered any transaction with Alai regarding the property. Its original title remains intact and is currently still under a charge from a bank, a fact that the company plans to prove in court.

From Land Activist to Alleged Land Grabber

Robert Alai’s reputation was built on publicly exposing rogue developers, land fraud, and political corruption. He rose to prominence as a fearless blogger who took on the Nairobi land mafia and gave voice to communities suffering from evictions and shady deals.

But his entry into politics seems to have flipped the script. Once on the side of victims, Alai is now accused of using violence and political influence to benefit from the very crimes he once condemned.

The alleged invasion of Runda raises serious concerns about abuse of office. Mukhtar Ahmed Parkar claims Alai’s name intimidated law enforcement, who refused to act even after the violent assault and property damage.

In a country where land conflicts have long fueled injustice and impunity, this case underscores how political muscle can silence justice.

Observers are now questioning whether Alai’s anti-land fraud campaigns were genuine or part of a calculated path to gain political capital. Many feel betrayed by what they see as a classic case of power corrupting a former activist.

Political Protection and a Pattern of Impunity

This case against Robert Alai shines a light on a wider problem—how elected officials often use their positions to bypass the law. According to Parkar, despite presenting proof of ownership and a history of utility payments, he was unable to stop the takeover. That alone shows how deep the rot runs.

Court proceedings will now have to determine whether Alai acted illegally and if the property will be returned to Cancer Investments Ltd. But the larger question remains: how many other properties have been quietly taken over by those with power and influence?

This scandal also reopens conversations about the failure of zoning laws and the growing number of illegal developments across Nairobi.

Experts have often blamed political interference for shielding land grabbers. If proven guilty, Alai’s case will join a growing list of politicians-turned-developers exploiting their offices for personal gain.

With the May 19 court date approaching, all eyes are on the judiciary to determine whether justice will finally catch up with Robert Alai.

Conclusion

Robert Alai built a public image as a defender of the people, a man who exposed land theft and corruption. But the ongoing legal battle suggests that he may now be on the other side of the law.

As Cancer Investments Ltd fights to reclaim its land in Runda, the public must reckon with the uncomfortable reality that those who speak loudest against corruption can sometimes fall prey to it themselves. The case is a test not only for the courts but for Kenyan democracy and accountability.