Hundreds of Nairobi residents are likely to spend their day under the glaring hot sun following the demolition of their buildings.
Residents of Nyama Villa Estate in Kayole were woken up by the roaring sounds of excavators on Monday, 16 December, accompanied by armed police officers.
After a brief standoff caused by the shocking scenes, the excavators began a demolition spree under the watchful guard of the officers.
Occupants of the affected houses and nearby ones were forced to move their belongings for fear of being trapped in the rubble.
However, it was not immediately clear what the reason behind the demolitions was, with community groups criticising the government over the situation.
According to the Kayole Community Justice Centre, some of the excavators arrived in the middle of the night without prior notice to the residents.
"We oppose the state-sanctioned night demolitions/evictions. This morning, in the middle of the night, residents of Nyama Villa Estate had to endure this kind of demolition. Our people deserve dignity," the organisation stated.
Nyama Villa estate demolitions have been a contentious issue dating back to the reigns of former President Uhuru Kenyatta.
The demolitions are also reported to have catapulted the fallout between former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and his boss William Ruto.
On 19 December 2018, former President Kenyatta ordered an immediate halt to an ongoing demolition exercise in the estate.
According to sources, a Nairobi-based billionaire, who had created fake title deeds, colluded with some county officials to grab part of the contested land.
This prompted the then Governor of Nairobi County, Mike Sonko, to order an immediate halt to the exercise.
"Earlier today, I issued orders to stop the demolition of buildings in Kayole Estate, where a private developer used fake title deeds to obtain eviction notices from our courts. I will pursue the matter in court and ensure that the victims of this inhumane act receive justice," Sonko stated after issuing the orders.
