Nairobi Residents Protest Eviction Orders Over Riparian Land Dispute

Residents of Dagoretti and Kangemi in Nairobi have taken to the streets to protest an eviction directive issued by Governor Johnson Sakaja’s administration.

The county government has ordered all residents living near the city’s riparian areas to move 30 meters away from both sides of the Nairobi River.

According to the county leadership, the directive is meant to protect residents from the dangers of flooding as the long rainy season begins.

However, the affected community members argue that this move threatens their homes and livelihoods, as many have lived in these areas for years.

Tension is rising among homeowners and landowners in these neighborhoods, with many claiming that the county’s decision is unfair.

Some residents believe there is a hidden agenda behind the eviction orders, suspecting that the government is trying to take over their land under the guise of environmental conservation.

Residents Question Motives Behind the Evictions

Many of those affected argue that their families have lived on the land for generations, inheriting the property from their ancestors.

They say the directive does not respect the historical and cultural significance of their homes and amounts to an attempt to displace them without following due process.

“The county is trying to take away land that has been in our families for decades. This order does not consider the rights of the people who have called these areas home for years. It is an injustice to push us out without proper consultation or compensation,” one resident lamented.

The residents further claim that surveyors from the county government have already begun redrawing boundaries without engaging them in the process. They fear that this is a calculated move to take away their land and leave them homeless.

Additionally, many have raised concerns that the enforcement of the directive is selective. They accuse the county government of targeting low-income settlements while allowing high-end developments in wealthier areas to remain untouched.

Vowing to Resist, Residents Threaten Legal Action and Protests

Angered by the directive, the affected residents have vowed to challenge it in court. They are also planning to hold massive demonstrations if their grievances are not addressed.

They insist that they will not move unless they are given a proper alternative housing solution.

“There is no fairness in this process. If they are serious about protecting people from floods, then the same rules should apply to everyone, not just those in informal settlements. We will not allow our land to be taken away in the name of conservation,” another resident stated.

President Ruto Assures Residents of Fairness

Meanwhile, President William Ruto has reassured Nairobi residents that the government will not allow forced evictions without a proper resettlement plan.

He acknowledged that land disputes are common in many parts of the country, including Nairobi, and stressed that evictions should only happen after affected families have been provided with suitable alternatives.

“The government is aware of ongoing land disputes in different parts of the country, including Nairobi. As we work on solutions, I want to assure residents that no one will be evicted without proper resettlement plans in place,” President Ruto stated.

Residents are now waiting to see if the government will take their concerns into account and offer them a fair solution.

However, they have made it clear that they will not back down until their demands are met.

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