Over 600 families were left homeless on Friday, October 1, after the government embarked on demolishing houses in Nairobi's informal settlements of Deep Sea to pave way for the construction of Sixth Parklands road.
The government, through the Ministry of Interior, stated that the structures had been built on road reserve, hence, delaying the construction of a road that connects Limuru Road to Waiyaki Way.
Some residents decried being issued with a notice, adding they had only heard rumours that government officials would visit them for a public participation.
Other residents noted that they had lived in the area all their lives and did not know where to relocate to.
Outgoing Law Society of Kenya president Nelson Havi called on the victims on Friday evening and condemned the government for demolishing their houses.
"I undertook to pursue Deep Sea residents’ claim of title and possession to the land they have called home for years. The matter comes up in Court on 4-10-2021. In the evening, the State demolished and destroyed all these livelihoods. What Government does that to its people?" Havi posed.
The Ministry of Interior indicated that the government took the action to pull down the structures after the residents defied several notices to leave voluntarily.
It added that the residents had already been compensated by the National Lands Commission (NLC) but failed to move as agreed.
"The notices for the voluntary vacation of the encroached road reserve had been issued under the project’s Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) negotiated with area leaders and those affected by the dual carriage road funded by the Japanese government," the Ministry's statement read in part.
Nairobi Regional Commissioner James Kianda warned those leaving in Nairobi’s informal settlements earmarked for demolition, that the government would take action against them.
“We have had a number of engagements with the community. Consequent to the wide and open discussions, over 734 informal settlers on the road reserve agreed to vacate voluntarily after they were compensated."
