Residents watch in disbelief as bulldozers demolish Nairobi’s Makongeni estate houses
By Mustafa Juma, November 23, 2025Bulldozers moved in on Sunday, November 23, 2025, at Makongeni Estate along Jogoo Road, tearing down old residential homes as residents watched in disbelief, with some scrambling to salvage their belongings.
The demolition is part of the government’s plan to construct affordable housing units under President William Ruto’s flagship project.
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The eviction has sparked anger among residents, many of whom claim they were not given sufficient time to relocate. Authorities had issued a five-day notice before the demolition began, a period residents say was far too short to make alternative arrangements.
Compensation for victims
Makadara MP George Aladwa addressed the media during a press briefing, stating that the eviction was voluntary and that affected households would receive a facilitation fee of Ksh150,000 each to ease relocation.
Aladwa emphasised that the compensation aimed to minimise disruption as the area makes way for the new affordable housing units.
However, some residents have disputed these claims, saying they neither received the alleged payments nor saw themselves listed among the officially recognised beneficiaries.
One of the residents narrated that she had rented out a unit from a previous owner, who had received the compensation instead.
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Makongeni evictions criticised
A few days ago, lawyer Willis Otieno had criticised President William Ruto’s Affordable Housing project while revealing how a select group of Kenyans are grappling with eviction to pave the way for the project.
In a statement on his official X account on Monday, November 17, 2025, the lawyer confirmed his discussions with Makongeni residents.
On his part, the lawyer revealed that the residents expressed fear of facing the threat of eviction from the place they have called home for generations.
“Yesterday, I joined the people of the larger Makongeni Ward, the families of Mbotela and Makongeni who now face the cruel threat of eviction from the very place they have called home for generations,” Willis said.
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He went on to add that over 10,000 residents are set to be uprooted in favour of the affordable housing project.
“What is most shameful is that this eviction is being pushed by the same government that should be protecting them. Over 10,000 residents are set to be uprooted in favour of an illegal and unaffordable housing project,” he noted.
In addition, Willis said the residents did not receive clear procedures, valid notices, or honest engagement regarding their eviction.
“No clear procedures, no valid notices, and no honest engagement with the community. Yet these families have lived on this 141-hectare piece of land for decades, building schools, churches, businesses, and social networks that have sustained them and given this community identity and dignity,” he added.