150 homeless in Kisumu land dispute demolitions

A man rescues his properties after his house was demolished in a land dispute at Dago village in Kisumu county on February 26, 2020. Over 150 households were demolished. [Collins Oduor, Standard]

At least 150 people have been left homeless after their houses were demolished in Dago, Kisumu West.

On Tuesday night, local youth accompanied by police raided the land and ordered everybody out before demolishing all the structures.

They used a bulldozer to bring down the houses.

Mary Atieno, one of the people whose houses were demolished, said she was surprised when mean-looking men, armed with weapons, knocked on her door and ordered her out. 

"I sell mandazis. So I always wake up very early in the morning to prepare the dough. When I heard vehicles outside, I thought it was time to wake up,” Ms Atieno said.

“I was wrong. The men told me I had ten minutes to remove any valuables from my house and leave the compound.”

Maurice Olwal, another victim, said three of his houses were brought down. By the time The Standard visited the scene yesterday, he was yet to locate two of his grandchildren.

According to the victims, the land in question belonged to their great grandfather. He transferred it to one of his sons who was expected to subdivide it and share it with his siblings.

Kisumu West OCPD Edward Kangára dismissed the victims' claims. He said police were acting on a court order which recognised a different party as the legal landowner.