Reprieve for home owners in the city

Police officers takes guard as the caterpillar demolishes houses at Kayole on 19/12/18-[Photo: Beverlyne Musili,Standard]

The Government has suspended further demolition of buildings.

The directive issued yesterday by Head of Public Service Joseph Kinyua came as a relief to hundreds of families in Nairobi whose property had been earmarked for demolition.

Mr Kinyua ordered the immediate suspension of demolitions in Nyamavilla Estate in Nairobi, which targeted more than 600 homes sitting on a 20-acre piece of land.

“It is notified for the general information of the public that the Government has forthwith directed the immediate suspension of all demolition of properties in all parts of the country until further notice,” said Kinyua.

In the press statement, Kinyua said the Government would give the way forward on the controversial exercise that has brought untold misery to hundreds of homeowners.

“Further guidance will be issued following consultations with all relevant State agencies and stakeholders,” he said.

The directive by Kinyua came hours after Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko issued a similar order on the third day of the demolitions.

At least 600 people were left homeless in Kayole after bulldozers and excavators descended on their homes on Tuesday.

Site visit

Speaking during a site visit to the area, Sonko halted further demolition of buildings within Nairobi until after the festive season. He said the decision was arrived at after consultations with President Uhuru Kenyatta.

“We cannot make families in Nairobi homeless during the festive season when everyone is expecting us to give them peace and a conducive environment for the holidays,” said Sonko.  

The city boss was categorical that not even buildings standing on disputed parcels of land would be demolished.

Accompanied by County Assembly Majority Leader Abdi Guyo and some ward reps, the governor ordered the bulldozers to vacate the demolition site.

The order to suspend demolitions is a reprieve for owners of the houses built in Buruburu Farmers Land, Njiru, Mowlem and Saika who had been given until December 24 to vacate their homes.

Kenya Power had indicated the houses are illegal because they stand on power line reserves.

Earlier, two MPs, Benjamin Gathiru (Embakasi Central) and Mercy Gakuya (Kasarani) hit out at the Government, accusing it of being insensitive to the plight of the families.