Somali Tycoon Adan Haji Isaack Accused of Using Goons to Grab Peponi Road Land from Nairobi Professor
By All In Africa Investigations Desk
A high-stakes land conflict has erupted in Nairobi’s affluent Westlands neighborhood after a prominent Somali businessman, Adan Haji Isaack, was accused of orchestrating a violent takeover of prime property belonging to Professor Lumumba Nyaberi, a respected law lecturer at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA).
The dispute, now under police investigation, underscores Kenya’s deepening crisis of urban land grabbing, where the powerful exploit state machinery, forgeries, and violence to dispossess rightful owners.
Professor Claims Orchestrated Land Grab on Peponi Road
According to a report filed at the Spring Valley Police Station, Isaack allegedly dispatched armed goons to the professor’s 1.2-acre parcel along Peponi Road, a leafy enclave popular with diplomats and business magnates.
The men, reportedly armed with machetes, metal rods, and crude weapons, are said to have invaded the compound, issued death threats, and ordered the 60-year-old academic to vacate “immediately.”
“They stormed the property in broad daylight, claiming they had ‘orders from above.’ When I demanded to see any court documents, they threatened to kill me,” said Professor Nyaberi in a recorded statement seen by All In Africa.
The attack left the professor shaken and his security guard injured. Police later visited the scene, where they found portions of the perimeter fence destroyed and construction materials dumped inside the property — allegedly by Isaack’s agents.
Police Investigate Criminal Trespass and Assault
Police have confirmed that the matter is under active investigation, though no arrests have been made.
According to investigators, Isaack is being probed for criminal trespass, assault, and malicious destruction of property. Detectives are also investigating how individuals linked to him accessed official land documents before the invasion.
Sources within the Spring Valley Police Station told All In Africa that the case has attracted “significant interest from high offices,” with growing concerns of possible interference from influential figures tied to the business community.
“We have statements from the complainant and witnesses. Once we finalize the forensic review of documents and title history, we will make arrests,” said a senior officer familiar with the probe.
The Anatomy of a Nairobi Land Grab
Peponi Road, which stretches through Nairobi’s Westlands area toward Runda, has become one of Kenya’s most contested real estate zones. Over the past decade, at least 12 multi-million-shilling properties in the area have been subject to parallel claims, fraudulent transfers, or forced takeovers.
Investigations reveal that rogue surveyors, registry insiders, and politically connected businessmen have perfected a system of legal manipulation — falsifying title deeds, altering records, and using private security firms or hired thugs to enforce possession.
Land rights experts say the case of Professor Nyaberi vs. Adan Haji Isaack mirrors a broader pattern of urban dispossession where the weak are pushed out by the wealthy through intimidation and institutional capture.
“It’s not just a land case — it’s a governance crisis,” says Dr. Jane Oloo, a legal researcher with the Kenya Land Governance Network (KLGN). “Land ownership is now a tool of power and fear. What’s happening on Peponi Road reflects systemic rot that touches registries, police, and even the courts.”
A Multi-Billion Shilling Prize
The contested 1.2-acre plot is estimated to be worth over KSh 600 million, given its proximity to diplomatic residences and luxury apartments. The property’s location also places it within Nairobi’s most rapidly appreciating zone — a hotspot for developers seeking to erect high-rise office spaces and residential towers.
Sources allege that Isaack and his alleged accomplice, a Ghanaian national still at large, may have targeted the land for speculative redevelopment. Plans reportedly included converting the parcel into a mixed-use commercial complex once “legal possession” was established.
Documents reviewed by All In Africa indicate that fraudulent transfer attempts were made at the Nairobi Land Registry in mid-2024, but were flagged and halted after inconsistencies were found in the ownership records.
Fear and Silence Among Neighbours
Residents of the Peponi enclave say they now live in fear. Several who witnessed the violent confrontation declined to be quoted, citing possible retaliation.
“We saw trucks and young men offloading construction materials under police escort. When we asked questions, we were told to mind our own business,” said one resident.
Others claimed that the gang has maintained a low-level presence near the property, apparently monitoring activity and intimidating workers who attempt to enter the professor’s compound.
A Familiar Pattern of Impunity
The allegations against Isaack echo a series of similar cases across Kenya involving wealthy businesspeople accused of using goons and fake documents to seize land.
In 2024, a group of investors linked to another Somali businessman was accused of violently evicting residents from property in Karen, while in Mombasa, police arrested three people in a case involving forged allotment letters for beachfront land.
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has previously warned that Kenya’s land sector remains the most corruption-prone, with up to 60% of fraud-related complaints tied to land transactions.
Professor Nyaberi Vows to Seek Justice
Professor Nyaberi has since vowed to pursue justice through the courts, saying he will not yield to intimidation.
“I have faith in the justice system. This is not just about me — it’s about the rule of law. If people can grab land from a professor, what about ordinary Kenyans?” he told All In Africa.
Human rights organizations have called on the Inspector General of Police and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to ensure transparency in the investigation and protection for witnesses.
Public Outcry and the Bigger Picture
Civil society groups say the Peponi Road saga is symbolic of Kenya’s ongoing struggle with elite impunity, where the powerful weaponize institutions meant to protect citizens.
Land activist Joseph Karani of the Justice for Property Owners Network said the government must act decisively to curb rising cases of violent land evictions.
“These land barons are using money and muscle to rewrite property laws. Without firm legal response, the urban poor — and even professionals — will continue losing property to corruption and violence,” he warned.
What Happens Next
Police say investigations are ongoing, and they are awaiting forensic analysis of title documents. Isaack and his alleged accomplice are expected to be summoned for questioning as detectives finalize the case file for possible prosecution.
As Nairobi’s skyline expands, the battle for land ownership is turning increasingly violent — and unless authorities act decisively, experts warn that Peponi Road could become a symbol of elite impunity and state capture.
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