The Orange Democratic Party has taken issue with the
eviction of families in Nairobi’s Woodley estate during nighttime, terming it
inhumane and shocking.
In a statement on Wednesday, acting ODM party leader Prof Anyang Nyongó said evicting families in the dead of the night is a colonial approach that
should not happen in the current Kenya.
City Hall on Monday night prevailed on homes in the estate
and brought down houses ostensibly to create space for high-density residences.
Bulldozers smashed through fences and flattened homes
following the expiry of the vacate deadline at midnight on November 19.
Nyongó said whereas it’s a welcome development to construct
better houses, the eviction should not have been done at night and without provision
of alternative spaces of settlement for the affected households.
“The better procedure would have been to develop a high-density housing unit elsewhere and facilitate the transfer of Woodley residents there in a humane and well-organised manner. The Woodley demolitions is a clear breach of Article 42(10(b) of the constitution and UN guidelines on Involuntary settlements, Nyongó said.
The evictions targeted 43 houses, including one belonging to
former State House official and veteran broadcaster Sammy Lui who has been a
resident in the area for 53 years.
Woodley estate is synonymous with several other famous individuals who made it their home during their heydays.
They include freedom fighter Achieng Oneko, Barack Obama
Snr, Argwings Kodhek, Ukambani politician Mulu Mutisya and Jaramogi Oginga
Odinga’s speechwriter, Odinge Odera.
“We have nothing against the project, but we should be
engaged,” Lui said citing a lack of public participation ahead of the
demolition exercise.
The entire estate comprises 300 housing units, including
flats and two- and three-bedroom stand-alone bungalows.
According to Lui, City Hall approved the demolition of old
houses marked as Lot One and Lot Two without reaching out to the owners.
Some tenants had already vacated after receiving compensation of Sh900,000 from the Nairobi county government.
