Kileleshwa Estate is named after the formidable Leleshwa tree. This tree is native to Naivasha and is one of the few indigenous trees that can regenerate once cut down or burnt. It is a durable tree – stubbornly un-swayed by unfavourable conditions.  The Estate has a sordid history of evictions of Africans rooted in colonialism but has since emerged as an estate of note. 

 

Crown Land 

Kileleshwa began as unalienated crown land. This means that no other party other than the British crown had an interest in it. Government workers or former civil servants who were ‘detribalised’ Africans inhabited the land.  

The diverse African inhabitants of Kileleshwa included Kambas, Waswahili, Kikuyus, Wanyamwezis as well as residents from Uganda and Tanganyika. These Africans were removed from their traditional social structure. The Waswahili, for example, were said to have originated from Shungwaya near River Tana. They then moved to Lamu before scattering across East Africa to areas like Mozambique – with some landing in Kileleshwa. 

The Africans living in the area at the beginning of the 1900s  found themselves subject to a number of payments made to authorities. The residents were made to pay Hut and Poll tax while Shamba owners paid a monthly rent of 4 shillings.  

Although Hut and Poll tax was enforced widely by colonial authorities to ensure the displacement of Africans, the rent was a unique feature of Kileleshwa. In 1915, a European by the name P.E. Watchman lay claim on Kileleshwa as his own property. As such, he saw it fit to charge rent to all the residents living in Kileleshwa. Later on, the Privy Council of London disallowed the rent payments. 

Colonial Evictions 

Kileleshwa grew in strides due to the influx of Africans moving to Nairobi. It was clear that the growth of Kileleshwa’s African community was a concern for the Government. There were strict measures on the number of huts allowed in the area. As of 1926, a census revealed that there were 230 huts. Of all the plot owners, only 35% were Kenyans. 

In 1925, the Nairobi District Commissioner warned that Africans in Kileleshwa would be frozen out to accommodate European settlers. By June 15th 1927, the deed was done. Africans in the neighbourhood became officially pushed out. While those from Tanganyika and Uganda were forced back to their countries, Kenyans were ferried to Pumwani. Ultimately, former residents were not offered compensation. The Government firmly held that the Africans in Kileleshwa should have flourished from cultivating rent-free land for years. 

The Town Planning Scheme forbade any African settlements west of Race Course Road – a provision that authorities relied on to justify the evictions. Kileleshwa formally became a European suburb. 

 

Kile Today 

Kileleshwa had a distinct lack of shops and particularly those that stocked necessities. Kiosks were the main source of everyday goods. The neighbourhood now has developments such as  Kasuku Centre and a petrol station with a gourmet food store, cafés, restaurants and even a butchery.  Open green spaces such as the Nairobi Arboretum offer scenic trails, fresh air and picnic sites.  

Even so, there are challenges. Some residents have complained about the growing number of kiosks and rapid expansion of high-rise apartment buildings. Still, Kileleshwa Estate continues to grow – mighty as the resilient Leleshwa tree.  

 

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