By JOB WERU
The Municipal Council of Nyeri has issued a seven-day demolition notice to scores of residents and hostel owners near Kimathi University College of Technology (KUCT).
Among those who risk eviction are hundreds of KUCT students who have rented hostels in the land.
In a notice issued by the local authority, the owners are supposed to “remove all structures, permanent and semi-permanent, and restore land to its original use/status to your cost within a period of seven days”.
It continued: “Failure to which the Municipal Council may enter on the said land and execute the requirements as outlined herein above and may recover as a civil debt in any court of competent jurisdiction any related expense incurred”.
The notice, served on October 4, indicated that the development and subdivision of the land in dispute was carried out without the grant of permission under part Five (V) of the Physical Planning Act.
“Construction of semi-permanent structures on the plots within Nyeri/Mun/Block 8 was without the approval from the council to completion and illegal occupancy,” the notice read in part.
Marked buildings
Following the notice, council askaris and other staff invaded the land and marked buildings and other structures, even toilets, which are targeted for demolition.
The action has elicited protests from local leaders and plot owners, who claimed the council was being influenced by some wealthy land owners and a senior politician from the area who have put up skyscraper hostels.
Nyaribo Ward Councillor Jackson Mutahi said the notices were illegal, noting that residents will resist eviction and demolitions.
“The residents acquired title deeds, settled on the land more than ten years ago and put up the structures. How come the local authority has just realised that the structures were not approved,” he queried.
Mutahi and another resident, Mr Moses Wangai, said the alleged evictions would lead to conflict between students who reside in the hostels and the hostels’ owners. “Some have paid for more than three months and the students might attack them while demanding refunds,” said Wangai.
