A building that was torched during demonstrations in Korogocho slums, Nairobi, April 1, 2025. /GEORGE OWITIA building within the chief's camp bore the brunt of demonstrating Korogocho slum dwellers on Tuesday as they protested against government's proposed housing project in the area.
The building is located next to the chief's office and Korogocho police post.
They first hauled stones at the building, commonly known as RC building.
The building is usually used by National Government Adminstration Officers (NGAO).
However, the chief's office and police post were not destroyed in the chaos, which started at around 10am and lasted for the better part of the day.
Property was destroyed and people injured as some protesters went on a looting spree demanding that the proposed social and affordable housing project in the slum be stopped.
A local NGO in the slum was among those targetted.
Residents also lost property to looters who cpaitalised on the chaos before police intervened to restore order.
"One person has been shot on the leg, two stubbed with knives and eight motorcycles stolen from the chief's office compound," an eye witness told the Star shortly after the skirmishes.
The protests started after the residents walked out of a public participation exercise at the Korogocho chief's camp.
The residents had been invited to give their views on the proposed design and construction of the social/affordable housing project and associated infrastructure as part of the protection, restoration, rehabilitation and beautification of Nairobi River Basin.
The project is being implemented by the Ministry of Defence in collaboration with Earthcare Services Ltd.
The forum's organisers and facilitators had to scamper to safety while others hurriedly got into waiting vehicles and sped off when the demonstrations erupted.
David Muthama, 70, said the residents were angry since there has never been a public participation in Korogocho for the last 18 years.
Muthama, who said he had been living in the slum since he was 20 years old, accused the government of imposing projects on the residents without involving them.
"We have 18 years in Korogocho now without public baraza like this one. All Korogocho issues are discussed in offices and imposed on residents," Muthama said.
He said those whose property were demolished during the road upgrade project were never compensated as had been promised.
"There was a project to upgrade the slum. When it came, we elected elders to represent the community in the project so that those affected by the road get compensated. This never happened to date," Muthama said.
"Now, we are told that the government's housing project is coming. It started by demolitions during the floods, we moved 30 metres away from river banks. Those within 30 metres had their houses demolished without compensation," Muthama said.
He said former administration promised them title deeds that were never delivered.
"We don't have titles yet. We want good roads, title deeds and sewerage systems. We are also human beings," Muthama said.
The old man further claimed that they were never invited to the botched public participation.
"We were not aware of the public participation. We just stumbled on people holding the meeting. We didn't understand what they were discussing. They impose projects on us," Muthama said.
The Star, however, obtained a copy of the notice inviting the residents to the public participation.
"The Ministry of Defence (MoD) in collaboration with Earthcare Services Ltd invites members of the public, interested and project - affected parties (PAPs) and key stakeholders to a public consultation meeting regarding the proposed design and construction of social/affordable housing and associated infrastructure aimed at the protection, restoration, rehabilitation, and beautification of the Nairobi River basin," reads a public notice seen by the Star.
It continues, "the meeting to be held on April 1, 2025 from 9.30am at Korogocho chief's camp Nairobi. This notice is in compliance with the Constitution of Kenya Article 118 and Environmental Management and Cordination Act Cap 387."
