Government spokesperson Cyrus Oguna has stated that the Nairobi Metropolitan Services under General Mohammed Badi is planning on temporarily resettling evicted Kariobangi and Ruai residents.
In an interview with NTV on Wednesday, June 17, Oguna detailed that NMS had taken control of the contentious demolitions.
According to Oguna, the government was concerned with how the evictions unfolded especially at a time the nation was fighting against Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.
"NMS is working to ensure that those whose houses were demolished are assisted. During this Covid-19 period, they will be provided with face masks, sanitisers and handwashing agents.
"It will also ensure that they have a place to put up before coming up with a permanent place," Oguna disclosed.
He added that the government had set up a committee to investigate the evictions and how the land was grabbed.
"The demolitions were to happen earlier or later. The land belongs to Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company and had been earmarked for infrastructural development.
"The government was upset with how the evictions unfolded and a committee was set up to investigate the evictions conducted during the Covid-19 pandemic. Among the issues being investigated is how some residents acquired title deeds of the grabbed land," Oguna added.
On Monday, June 15, Principal Secretary Ministry of Water and Sanitation Joseph Irungu disclosed that the government was intent on embarking on the second phase of the repossession exercise in Nairobi's Kariobangi area. The eviction would displace thousands of Kariobangi residents occupying 60 more acres of land in the area targetted for reclamation.
"It is not very easy and it has a lot of emotions but we have to set aside the emotions and face reality. In this case, we won't take our sewage treatment plants to neighbouring counties, we have to manage it within the designated areas within Nairobi County," he explained.
The High Court on Friday, May 15, halted further demolitions of the Kariobangi North Estate until a petition by the residents was determined.
