Judge terms Eastleigh demolitions 'security monster'

By EVELYN KWAMBOKA

The High Court has termed the ongoing demolitions in Nairobi’s Eastleigh Section Three a "security monster."

High Court judge Justice Mohammed Warsame said there is need for the court to intervene and protect citizens from losing their property before the issue is investigated and determined

"There is reason for this court to intervene to protect them from the Government’s security monster. This monster in the name of security ought to be investigated and tamed. Otherwise, it might run amok and cause more suffering to the citizens of this country," he said.

On undertaking its core responsibility, Justice Warsame said the Government cannot be allowed to commit grave injustice to citizens.

"It is now the norm in this country that State organs have embarked on a major oppression to enact maximum pain across citizens of this country, by demolishing buildings without notice to the owners" he added.

He pointed out that security is of paramount importance but cannot be used to conduct unwarranted and unprecedented displacement of people without notice.

"It is Government’s responsibility to ensure a security (operation) is carried out in a humane manner. When security is used to demolish and displace citizens like this, you are likely to cause a major problem," he said.

The judge said this in a ruling in which he stopped the Government from demolishing property on three pieces of land near Eastleigh Airbase.

He gave applicants a go-ahead to institute contempt proceedings against Internal Security Minister George Saitoti, Defence Minister Yusuf Haji, PS Francis Kimemia and his counterpart Nancy Kirui.