KHRC condemns Athi River demolitions, threatens to move to court

The Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) has termed the ongoing Athi River demolitions as illegal and a gross violation of the right to shelter.

The human rights group claims that there was no court order to go on with the evictions and that the destruction of property was in violation of the UN guidelines on evictions, which stipulates that evictions cannot be conducted without a three-month notice. 

The civil society group says it will move to court to sue those behind the destruction.

“Evictions should be carried out in a manner that respects the dignity, right to life, right to property and the security of those people who will be affected by the evictions,” said Mary Kambo, KHRC Program Manager, Economic and Social Justice.

“There should be respect for the principles of necessity and proportionality during the use of force and lastly, they should give the affected people the first priority to demolish by themselves in order to be able to salvage their property.”

KHRC Senior Program Advisor Martin Mavenjina, on his part, stated: “We’re calling upon the government to engage in a meaningful and compassionate dialogue of the affected residents. We are demanding that the government must ensure the international human rights standards including those related to forced evictions are strictly adhered to during the removals, respecting the right to security and well-being of widows and communities involved and affected.”