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Govt flattens another slum on a flight path /FILE


NAIROBI, Kenya Nov 19 – Another slum lying in a flight path this time near Wilson Airport in Nairobi has been demolished.

The demolition of Mitumba slum comes two months after the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) issued notices asking residents living on parcels of land in Syokimau, Kiang’ombe and Mitumba to vacate.

Residents are however questioning the move as plush homes next to the slum were left untouched, arguing that the government was going after the poor as they have no means to defend themselves.

“We thought that they would start with the estates only to see them demolishing ours. If it’s a case of flight path, then theses other houses are on it and should also come down. This is just harassment by the government because we are poor,” an enraged resident said.

The demolitions come barely a week after houses in a middle class estate in Syokimau were brought for also being constructed on a flight path.

A section of the Mitumba residents threatened to take matters in their hands and demolish the other houses.

The residents who were given notice on Friday told to pack their belongings and move are now seeking answers from their area Member of Parliament, Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

“We are very annoyed with this because where are we supposed to go. As our area MP, Raila should come here and tell us where we are supposed to go,” one resident said.

The Cabinet has passed a resolution to evict residents who had encroached on airport land plus electricity and pipeline way leaves to avert future crisis like the one at the Sinai slum where more than 100 people were killed in a pipeline fire.

Previous notices of eviction have not been heeded after politicians meddled in the process.

Last week Transport Minister Amos Kimunya said told Parliament that he would not promise that the demolitions cease because there is a program that has been sanctioned.

“There is a program of demolitions to clear people who are illegally or irregularly settled on land that they should not be residing on for security purposes. It is meant to ensure that the country is safe from security threats that include a terrorist group,” Kimunya said in Parliament.






Author: MICHAEL KARANJA
MICHAEL KARANJA has written 77 posts
Michael is a Business Reporter. He is a graduate of Daystar Univeristy with a Degree in Communication (Electronic bias) and a minor in Public Relations. He considers himself easy going and loves engaging in sporting activities over the weekends.

  • Annvalle

    when will the demolitions of Kibera and mathare begin. these are also illegal encroachments. People need to be tought to buy or apply for land legally and not build whenever they can find empty space. There is no way the govt can achieve the 2030 vision without a sound land policy. People living abroad with tonnes of money to invest cannot do so because of poor land policy.

  • Lucas

    Especially Kibera-a nasty, smelly, filthy habitation. I totally agree with you! The slum dwellers will bicker all they want, the fact is that they are land grabbers who have also settled illegally in what is not righteously their own. Pack your bags and go back to where you initially came from, i.e warudi mashambani.

  • Ali

    Shame on you, Lucas how dare you speak that about Kibera,what do you know about Kibera,for your information that is not a no-man lands,we have owners of that land and it is purely Nubians.Look not everybody living there is filthy smelling we can afford you,your family your entire clan and take care of you.so be very careful with your words beside if you don’t we are the one making you enjoy all the fruit of this country.grow up.ALI




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