County serves State employees eviction notice

Some of the houses the Busia county government wants employees of the national government to vacate. [Ignatius Odanga, Standard]

A showdown is looming between the county administration and national government workers over an impending eviction of the latter.

Those to be affected are civil servants living in houses near the office of the county commissioner.

The county government is adamant that the officials, including Assistant County Commissioner Elijah Nyachae, must vacate the houses to pave way for planning of Busia town.

The county issued an eviction notice which expired last month, but gave the officials a two-week extension which expires on Thursday.

Busia Municipal Manager Ken Nabulindo said planning of towns was a county function, and thus the civil servants must move to alternative houses the devolved unit has provided.

“Part of our town planning strategies is to build offices where the civil servants are staying now,” he said.

On the other hand, Mr Nyachae said the houses were national government property and termed the county as an intruder.

“Revenue is collected by the department of housing so the houses are entirely under the custody of the national government and, therefore, (any) plans from any (other) quota will not be allowed,” he said.

But Nabulindo, after witnessing the demolition of illegal structures in Busia town, said the Urban Areas and Cities Act, 2011 gives the county powers to plan the town.

“The step we have taken is supported by the law and it does not require us to seek an interpretation of the court,” he said.

Nyachae shot back saying though land was a devolved function and planning of towns was a preserve of county governments, they would not accept to be moved to any other place.

“We will not allow the county to trespass on land that belongs to the national government until the (Lands) ministry makes a decision,” he added.

Should the houses be damaged, he said, county government officers involved would be held criminally liable. 

Nabulindo urged Nyachae and other tenants to abide by the eviction notice. “There should be no intimidation and threats over the decision the county has taken,” he maintained.