Looming demolitions for Kiambiu residents as gov't prepares for Affordable Housing project

Residents of Kiambiu in Eastleigh, Nairobi County are facing another threat of demolition to allow the government's social housing project.

The government has proposed demolishing the current slum, which residents claim belongs to the Kenya Defence Forces, to construct new affordable social housing.

Citizen TV visited Kiambiu and followed two participants who were previously evicted from riparian land without compensation. They shared their concerns about another possible government demolition to make way for social housing.

The atmosphere was tense as residents gathered for a public baraza with national government housing officials, aggrieved by the government's plan to evict them from the 59 acres of land, currently owned by KDF, to make way for affordable social housing.

"Mlikuja hapa mkabomolea watu 5,000 makao huko chini wanaishi kama wanyama. Leo mnakuja mnatuambia mbomolee watu wengine mamia maelfu ati mtawapatia nyumba, hiyo ni uongo," said a resident. 

"It’s a conversation we are having of rent-to-own where they have the houses and continue to rent."

Among the attendees was Wycliffe Kesevuli and Defrida Chegombe, who were keenly listening to the housing department officials, hoping for positive news about the proposed social housing project.
After the baraza, Kesevuli takes us to his current residence, a makeshift structure along the Nairobi River, where he has lived for 24 years until recently, when his house was demolished.

"Mkutano nilienda ndio nitaje shida zangu huko, nione kama wanaweza kunisaidia. Si nilikuambia bibi alitoroka na watoto na ameolewa sababu ya hali yangu?" Wycliffe Kesevuli stated.

Defrida Chegombe, another evictee from Kiambiu, shared her reasons for attending the public participation meeting.

She said, "Ile kitu kilifanya nikatoka hapa nikaambia majirani naenda ni kuwataka wale watu wakujeko hapa waone maisha ninayoishi, ni ya binadamu ama ng’ombe? Ndiyo nilienda. Mvua ikinyesha niko hapa, jua ikiwa nika niko hapa."

It’s been six months since the government demolished structures on riparian land, promising to reclaim the river to prevent flooding. Yet, nothing has been done for those who were evicted.

"Kubomolewa tulikubali ibomolewe, na wakasema watapanda miti. Hiyo ndio tunahitaji kuona ikipandwa, sio nyumba zingine zikijengwa huko. Hatuitaji hizo manyumba; wape miti," Victor Onyango Owino another resident noted.

President William Ruto in May 6, 2024) said, "Wale wote households elfu arobaini hapa Nairobi ambao wamehamishwa kwa sababu ya safety yao, kila boma serikali tutawapatia shilingi elfu kumi ya kutafuta makao mahali mtakaa mkisubiri mpango ya serikali."

This baraza comes two months after the High Court ordered the government to compensate residents of Mathare, Gwa Kairu, Mukuru Kwa Ruben, and Kiamaiko, who were arbitrarily evicted for allegedly building on riparian land.