Residents of Milimani Estate in Kisumu have accused the county government of discrimination in the ongoing demolitions taking place in the posh estate.
According to the residents, the county government intentionally avoided bringing down property marked for demolition since it belonged to a renown tycoon.
The demolitions came after the county government issued a notice of demolition to owners of Kisumu/Block 8/259 and Kisumu/Block8/211 on December 17,2020.
The residents claimed that the county government spared the property of one Jayesh Patel, a tycoon, and only demolished a wall when his building blocked a three-meter pathway on Jobita Road.
“Several people have suffered due to the ongoing demolitions in the town. Why are some people given the opportunity to be heard even after it is found that they encroached on public land?” a resident complained.
In his response, Patel claimed that he had purchased the property ten years ago, and that he was not aware the land encroached on public road.
Kisumu City Manager, Abala Wanga, said that he had visited the building and confirmed that the road encroached on the land that was meant for the public. He however, noted that the land had been sealed off because of security reasons.
In a letter dated December 17, 2020, Kisumu County Director of Surveys Rogers Kobado, following a survey of the road, indicated that the three-meter-wide pathway cut through parcel numbers listed for demolition.
The letter, however, noted that a block fence had been constructed sealing off the road.
“By this letter, I hereby confirm that the proprietor can be addressed to open the right of access as defined by this official map,” the letter read.
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