KBC
Sunday, November 20, 2011
The buildings most of which are three storeyed were brought down under the keen eye of a combined force of anti riot and regular police and military officers from the Kenya Air Force.
Landlords in the area have denied receiving any notice of the intended demolitions saying that have valid title deeds and have been paying land rates.
Hundreds of families who were caught unawares have been left in the cold. Their situation was made worse by heavy rains pounding the city.
The residents too are angry at being ambushed without prior notice neither from their landlords nor from the City Council of Nairobi.
Kamukunji MP Yusuf Hassan condemned the demolitions saying the government must devise better ways of dealing with its citizens.
The MP wants the exercise stopped immediately until the joint committees investigating the Syokimau and Embakasi demolitions presents its report in Parliament.
Residents further want the buildings earmarked for demolitions to be clearly marked to ease tension.
It is unclear what prompted the demolitions as police and the military cordoned off the area and failed to answer any of the questions directed at them.
The government has come under fire over its ongoing efforts reclaim public land and clear structures situated next to vital installations.
On Saturday, several shanties were demolished in Mitumba slum near Wilson Airport .
The Eastleigh incident is the latest in a series of demolitions after Kyang'ombe slums, Syokimau and the Embakasi manyattas.