Residents of Kibra were left counting their losses as bulldozers ploughed through the tightly packed houses and business premises on Tuesday, October 6.
The demolition crew was under the instructions from the Kenya Railways Corporation that sought to reclaim land located next to the railway track cutting across the estate.
In a bid to salvage their belongings, the home and business owners quickly started pulling down their mabati structures before the demolitions trucks got to them.
Kamukunji, Katwekera and Kianda were the areas affected during the exercise.
Kibera lies on the outskirts of Nairobi and is one of Africa's largest slums, home to more than 400,000 people
According to the state corporation, the houses erected next to the railway posed a safety threat and promoted unsanitary living conditions.
However, the incensed residents decried and argued that they were not given any notice to vacate, with most stating that they were alerted of the demolitions by the deafening sound of the bulldozers rampaging through their premises.
They further argued that the move was a major blow to them because they would have to rebuild the structures during the current hard economic times.
The demolitions come barely a month since 500 businessmen and women were left stranded after waking up to demolished kiosks at Mutindwa, Nairobi.
Currently, Kenya Railways is targeting to serve up to 230,000 passengers a day with the expansion of the Nairobi Commuter Rail network.
The corporation is also engaged in the construction of commuter stations at Kikuyu, Embakasi Village, Pipeline, Donholm, Dandora, Kahawa, Ruiru, Athi River, Githurai, and Mwiki.
Watch the Kibra demolitions below:
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