Residents in Otonglo area, Kisumu County, have demonstrated the demolitions of structures that happened on Sunday evening, February 8, by Kenya Railways.
The residents have lit bonfires barricading the Kisumu - Busia Road on Monday to protest the actions of Kenya Railways.
According to the locals, the structures demolished by Kenya Railways were six metres from the railway line.
The locals have termed this move by the Kenya Railways Corporation as economic sabotage and together with other affected parties, say they will move to court.
According to reports, a recently constructed market launched by Governor Anyang Nyong’o was also not spared as the perimeter wall and storehouse for building materials were demolished.
On Friday, the demolitions started in Kibos Area Kisumu County at 8 pm which caught the residents unawares.
Bulldozers descended on the houses with the heavy police presence in the Kibos area.
The families were left homeless and were forced to sleep in the cold.
"I have lost everything; we have no money or food. This was inhumane, the government should have allowed us time to remove our belongings," a resident recounted.
Bungoma County has also been affected as two days prior to Kisumu demolitions, the residents were left counting losses after Kenya Railways demolished a mall, hospital, popular hotel, and other businesses.
Kisumu Governor Anyang Nyong’o strongly condemned the actions of Kenya Railways as it is reported that a child died after being trapped under the debris during the demolitions.
"We strongly condemned the manner in which the demolition was conducted. It has subjected our people to serious suffering," Governor Nyong'o said.
Kisumu Governor Anyang Nyong’o has today formed a 20-member committee to plan the resettlement of 3000 displaced families by the Kenya Railways demolitions on Kibos Area.
