Over 100 families living in Makande, Mombasa County, have been forcibly evicted from their homes under controversial circumstances, with authorities citing outstanding rent arrears and plans for the government’s Affordable Housing project.
The affected families said they were caught off guard in the early hours of Thursday, January 30, when a team consisting of police officers, the local OCS, and a group of hired youth stormed their homes. The group allegedly broke down doors and forced them to leave, despite many of them having lived there for over 20 years.
Residents claim there is foul play involved in their eviction, as they have received conflicting explanations regarding why they were forced out. Some were informed that they were being evicted due to unpaid rent, while others were told that the houses had been sold and they had no choice but to vacate.
Speaking on behalf of the affected families, David Amkowa, the chairman of the estate, stated that although some residents had rent arrears, they had already made arrangements with the housing agent to clear them in installments.
“Yes, we have arrears, but we had an agreement with the agent on how to clear them. Some of those who have been evicted have fully paid their rent, yet they were still forced out.
Others make payments through cooperative arrangements, but now all of us have been thrown out,” he lamented.
The chairman also accused authorities of using the eviction to push a hidden agenda, linking it to the government’s Affordable Housing project.
He claimed that officials were eager to reclaim the land for new construction and used the arrears as an excuse to displace long-term tenants.
Many residents, some of whom have lived in the area for more than 40 years, now find themselves stranded with nowhere to go. “I have lived here since 1984, and I have worked for Posta for 35 years. Now, suddenly, I am homeless with no place to turn to. We were not even given an eviction notice,” one resident complained.
The families had been paying a monthly rent of KSh 6,100, but they are unable to afford the KSh 36,000 reportedly required under the Affordable Housing project. This sharp increase in rent has left them with no viable housing options.
The displaced residents are now appealing to President William Ruto to intervene, as local authorities, including the Deputy Governor, have told them the matter is beyond their control.
This incident is part of a growing trend in Kenya, where families are being evicted and homes demolished to make way for government projects.
In November, residents of Kiambiu in Nairobi protested against similar forced evictions, where their homes were cleared to create space for new housing developments.
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