A week after demolitions in Nairobi's Kariobangi Sewage Estate left over 7000 residents homeless, Interior CS Fred Matiang'i has finally addressed the nationwide outcry that followed.
Addressing the Senate on Monday, May 11, the Interior CS stated that the evictions should not have been carried out owing to a presidential directive to halt evictions until the end of the pandemic.
He, however, defended the police stating that some officers found themselves in an ethical dilemma when they had to implement court orders that could cause misery.
"Sometimes the police are in between a rock and a hard place because you find residents were given notice and have known for over two years that they are occupying public land and when the government reclaims it, becomes an issue where human rights are not being observed," Matiang'i stated.
"Police also come under pressure or are arm-twisted by powerful individuals. But as of now, we have informed them of President Uhuru Kenyatta's moratorium that the evictions be halted in this Covid-19 period," he stated.
Matiang'i explained that he had cautioned police officers against blindly obeying court orders when it came to carrying out evictions.
"We need to verify that court orders are genuine and we normally refer with the Attorney General when the eviction orders are issued by courts," he conveyed.
Noting that the evictions had been halted by the president, Matiang'i stated that regional commanders would be held accountable if evictions were carried out during the period.
Affected residents on Friday, May 8, took to the streets to demonstrate against the evictions with Amnesty International asking the government to take full responsibility for the injustices suffered by the over 7,000 families.
Several leaders including MPs Moses Kuria (Gatundu South), Ndindi Nyoro (Kiharu) argued that the evictions could have waited until the Covid-19 pandemic was over.
The demolition exercise was overseen by the Ministries of Land and Water in a move to reclaim the parcel of land after the expiry of a notice to vacate the land meant for the Dandora Estate Waste Sewerage Treatment Plant in Ruai.
Here is the video courtesy of Daily Nation:
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