Lang’ata MP Phelix Odiwuor, popularly known as Jalang’o, on Thursday led a procession of tens of Soweto Zone B residents to the Ministry of Housing, demanding that evictions for the government’s Affordable Housing Project be halted immediately.
The MP, accompanied by Nyayo Highrise MCA Kennedy Oyugi, delivered a petition on behalf of the affected family members, citing that the community has been left in the dark concerning issues regarding their relocation, compensation, and when to vacate their homes.
Jalang’o complained that the government was proceeding with this project without sufficient involvement of the Kenyan people, since it was only through various posters that evictions were being announced.
“We were compelled to come here because lives are involved,” he said, concluding the petition presentation. “These are families that are deserving of answers about their own futures, long before anyone else precipitates their departure.”
The residents, who participated in a march, clarified that none of them opposed development but that their government should undertake this in a way that has dignity for households.
Equipped with placards, sticks, and whistles, the group marched from Soweto to Ardhi House in Upper Hill, where officials of the involved ministries received their petition. A majority of those who participated in the protests feared that the homes that they knew all along their lives would be taken away.
Following the meeting, Jalang’o announced that a resolution has been reached that a stop, in respect of the eviction, has been effective until key issues are addressed through proper public participation.
“We agreed that until there is proper engagement with the residents, the planned eviction will be halted.”
The protest occurs at a time when hundreds of families in Makadara’s Makongeni Estate are still under a cloud of uncertainty as a result of government-led demolitions, which were halted by a court order.
The area, which has a population of around 40,000, was earmarked for regeneration as part of the housing programme. Although eviction notifications were carried out with offers to help with relocations, many claimed that compensation payments were never received.
On November 24, orders temporarily staying demolition and eviction actions were released by the Environment and Land Court. Despite this, demolition activities were seen in some areas of this estate.
