Five pupils critically injured as structures on road reserves flattened

Teachers, parents and pupils at St Lililana Academy watch as a bulldozer brings down structures at the institution. Several pupils were injured during the exercise and were rushed to Kitengela Medical Centre. [PHOTO: PETERSON GITHAIGA/STANDARD]

Kitengela, Kenya: Five pupils were critically injured when a demolition exercise turned tragic in Kitengela, Kajiado County.

The St Liliana Academy pupils were Tuesday injured when a Kajiado County Government bulldozer attempted to demolish a section of the school believed to be on a road reserve with the children inside.

Five pupils, who included three boys and two girls, were rushed to the Kitengela Medical Hospital. The pupils mostly suffered head injuries.

Shocked parents immediately rushed to the school to help evacuate the pupils.

Most of the parents condemned the incident and urged police to investigate the matter.

‘’Did the driver operating the tractor know this is a school and there were pupils in the classrooms?” wondered Nancy Muthoni, a parent at the school.

The incident occurred barely a day after the county government of Kajiado started demolishing structures built on road reserves in Kitengela Town.

Six-month notice

Yesterday, earth movers descended on the illegal structures after expiry of a six-month notice for owners to bring them down.

The structures included shops, workshops, salons, boutiques, kiosks and residential houses.

A contingent of armed police officers have also been deployed into the area to provide security during the exercise.

Kajiado County Executive Committee Member for Roads Cabinet Dickson Ntikoisa told The Standard that the exercise is aimed at easing mobility in the town and it’s expected to continue until structures built on public land are demolished.

“We decided to take our time in order to involve structure owners in this exercise. We will do it very well without discrimination,’’ Said Mr Ntikoisa.

The demolitions were greeted with mixed reaction from residents, with most of them expressing optimism that it will help ease mobility in the town.

“We have had situations where even firefighters cannot access some part of the town due to encroachments on the road reserves,” said Jonathan Ole Tumo, a resident.

More than 50 storey houses have been earmarked for demolition to pave way for feeder roads.

Kajiado County  Governor David Nkidianye told The Standard on phone that the affected areas include Kitengela, Ongata Rongai, Kiserian, Loitokitok, Namanga, Kajiado town, Sultan Hamud and Isinya.

‘’We are doing this to open up crowded areas,” he said.

He added: ‘’My Government shall also reclaim all fraudulently acquired land,’’ added Nkidianye.

Mrs Nancy Wangui, who sells fruits at Kitengela market, said the period given to them to move was very short and urged the county government to extend the notice.

Kitengela/Sholinke Ward Representative Daniel Kancholi supported the exercise.