Stop the demolitions now, Ukambani top clergy urge Ruto

Bishop of Catholic Diocese of Machakos Bishop Norman King'oo makes his speech during a top Ukambani clergy leadership meeting on the demolition of homes in Mavoko at Machakos governor's Office on October 18, 2023. [John Muia, Standard]

Religious leaders drawn from various denominations in Ukambani have demanded an immediate suspension of the ongoing demolition of homes in Mavoko, Machakos County.

The prelates, who addressed a press conference at Governor Wavinya Ndeti's office in Machakos also urged President William Ruto to visit the scene of demolitions to assess the gravity of destruction and pain meted on the affected residents.

Archbishop Timothy Ndambuki of Africa Brotherhood Church expressed disappointment with the country's top leadership for deploying a brutal approach in evicting the residents of Aimi Ma Lukenya settlement inside the controversial East Africa Portland Cement company land.

"We wish to register our disappointment with President Ruto administration in the manner that, without notice and consultation, they have undertaken demolitions of private property, churches and schools of the residents of Mavoko in Machakos County causing untold suffering," said Archbishop Ndambuki.

He went on, "We feel that our mutual understanding, respect, confidence and consultative spirit have been breached which we promised him when he last visited Machakos."

The bishops pointed out that the manner in which the demolitions were executed were inhuman and against the established human rights principles.

"The demolitions are a violation of human rights and against international law. Churches have been desecrated, learning in schools totally halted and personal property crushed into rubles in complete violation of the law and against biblical teachings which is tantamount to blasphemy," said Ndambuki.

About 10 days ago, an Environment and Lands Court sitting in Machakos dismissed a case filed by members of Aimi Ma Lukenya settlement scheme who have been embroiled in a lengthy ownership row with the giant cement over the prime land measuring about 4,800 acres.

Immediately after the ruling, bulldozers descended on the disputed area accompanied by heavy police protection and flattened any structure on sight including homes, churches and schools.

"The people of Machakos feel discriminated against because the President and his Deputy are on record promising to stop such inhumane demolitions in other parts of the country but have sanctioned the same activities against the people of Machakos. We say no to this discrimination and demolitions must stop forthwith," they said.

Similar sentiments were echoed by the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Machakos, Norman King'oo who urged the Government to consider the suffering of Kenyans whose homes have been flattened.

"The demolitions in Mavoko have made the place look more or less like a war zone. The Government should consider that these are Kenyans who settled on the land in full knowledge of the authorities. We feel that things should have been done in a humane manner. We ask that those people be compensated and resettled," said Bishop King'oo.

Also present included Bishops Urther Kitonga (Redeemed Gospel Church), Charles Kababu, Jackson Musyoka (Deliverance Church) and Major KasyokaVice Chairman NCCK and Eastern Region Divisional Commander.