Demolitions in Athi River after court ruling on East Africa Portland Cement land

Over 50 residences, including churches and mosques, have been demolished in Athi River, Machakos County, since Friday following a Machakos High Court ruling, which declared the occupation of the land illegal. 

The residents who reside on the disputed East Africa Portland Cement land in Athi River are asking the government to intervene and overturn the decision, which ordered their eviction.

These residents say some government officials are involved in what they term as their mistreatment.

“We did not have any notice…normally we'd receive notice by law that should be 21-day notice. That did not happen at all,” Moses Kimani, a resident said.

“Mimi ni mwanabiashara nafanyanga kazi ya kudeliver material sasa hiyo kazi ya building material imeisha ju sasa ata wenye wananunua naona wameenda hasara,” a businessman in Athi River Stephen Muendo added.

East Africa Portland Cement won a legal dispute to evict squatters from 1,740 hectares of land in Machakos County after claimants failed to produce documents to prove ownership. 

The land in dispute has been occupied by some of the evictees for more than 10 years. 

Other residents are now appealing to President William Ruto to intervene and defend them from the destruction which has rendered them homeless.

“Our able president maana umekuwa hapa ulituahidi ya kwamba hakuna nyumba ya mtu ambayo itaangushwa chini kama hawajakubaliana. Hizi ni nyumba za watu, watalala nje siku ya leo,” Athi River Bishop Abando said.