Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino on Tuesday criticized the government over ongoing demolitions in Mradi, Embakasi East, Nairobi County.
According to the lawmaker, the government had failed to act to stop demolitions leaving tens of his constituents without shelter at a time when the government is amplifying the need for affordable housing.
''It’s so sad for the Government to allow demolition of Houses at Mradi in Embakasi East yet at the same time, they are promoting construction of affordable housing,’’ Babu stated in a post.
He also revealed that many people were left homeless with nowhere to go after bulldozers descended on their homes in an early morning exercise.
''My People have been left homeless and it really pains me to see children, women and men lose their homes. Sad indeed,’’ he added.
According to reports from those affected by the exercise, the demolitions began at 5 am on Tuesday morning, leaving many of them stranded and homeless not knowing where to go.
The demolitions were being carried out just a few meters from Kabansora, where a gas truck exploded in February this year claiming the lives of 3 people with over 300 left nursing bruises.
Residents and other motorists plying Outering Road from Pipeline reported slow moving traffic and delays occasioned by the demolitions being carried out next to the roads.
This came in the wake of ongoing demolition exercises that have been going on in Nairobi. The demolitions have mainly targeted those residing near river banks and road reserves.
According to President William Ruto, the government is set to embark on construction of 40,000 housing units in Nairobi to settle those displaced by the demolitions.
He announced this while on an inspection tour of an affordable housing project in Kibra, Nairobi on September 9, 2024.
''Here in Nairobi, we are soon announcing the construction of 40,000 units to help settle those who were displaced by the government from the flood risk areas,’’ Ruto stated.
