Lang'ata MP Phelix Odiwuor, popularly known as Jalang'o, on Thursday led residents of Soweto Zone B in a protest march to the Ministry of Housing, demanding a halt to planned evictions under the Affordable Housing Project.
The lawmaker, accompanied by the Nyayo Highrise MCA Kennedy Oyugi, delivered a petition on behalf of the community, outlining concerns over relocation procedures, compensation, and alleged gaps in public participation.
According to Jalang’o, residents were neither adequately consulted nor informed about the timelines for eviction, despite the project requiring them to vacate their homes.
He said the demonstrations were necessary to ensure the voices of affected families were heard before any further action was taken.
''Today, together with the MCA for Nyayo Highrise, we led residents of Soweto Zone B to the Ministry of Housing to present a petition outlining their concerns before relocation for the Affordable Housing Project,'' Jalang'o said.
Residents who joined the march said they support development projects but insisted that the government must uphold transparency, fairness, and due process in the implementation of the housing programme.
Carrying placards, twigs and whistles, the residents marched to Ardhi House along Ngong Road in the Community area, Upper Hill, Nairobi, with their MP, where they were addressed by officials from the ministry.
Following the march to the government offices, Jalang'o confirmed that an agreement was reached with ministry officials to suspend the eviction until proper public participation is conducted and all raised concerns are addressed.
''We agreed that the planned eviction will be halted until proper public participation is conducted and all the issues raised by residents are fully addressed,'' Jalang'o added.
The developments come at a time when hundreds of families in Nairobi’s Makadara Estate remain in confusion over their future following government-led demolitions to pave the way for an affordable housing project.
Makongeni Estate, home to an estimated 40,000 residents, had been earmarked for redevelopment under the programme. Notices to vacate were issued with a promise of relocation assistance, but most households claimed they did not receive the compensation.
The Environment and Land Court on November 24 issued temporary conservatory orders stopping the evictions of Makongeni residents and demolitions. Nonetheless, the government continued the demolitions.
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