Embakasi East Member of Parliament Paul Ongili Owino popularly known as Babu Owino has termed the ongoing demolitions by the national government in Nairobi County illegal.
Condemning the demolitions, the Embakasi East MP said that the move by the government undermines human dignity.
“The demolitions that are ongoing in Nairobi are illegal and undermine human dignity, the government has moved with speed to destroy people’s properties and houses, the government has caused trouble for the people in the slam areas,” he said.
Babu Owino went ahead to say that the government is punishing the people of Nairobi by demolishing their homes during this rainy season and Nairobians won’t take it lightly.
“How inhuman can the government be to destroy people’s houses, structures, and businesses we will not take this lightly as Nairobians because this is affecting so many lives over 40,000 people in Nairobi have been affected,” he further explained.
“We don’t support the ongoing demolition that is happening across Nairobi that is affecting the livelihood of people children are not going to school because they don’t have a place to go back to as a house we need to treat Kenyans with a lot of respect treat Nairobians with a lot of respect and this demolition must stop with immediate effect.”
Nairobi demolition
Early May 2024, the national government began demolitions of homes built in flood-prone areas in Nairobi slums.
President William Ruto had ordered people living on riparian land to move with immediate effect and their structures be demolished.
“We will be asking those people living in areas that are at high risk of floods to evacuate and we will help them because we want to save lives,” he said.
Raila’s warning against demolition
ODM party leader Raila Odinga cautioned the government against the ongoing demolitions in Nairobi’s slums adding that the government should build houses for the residents before destroying their homes.
“Let them (the government) stop demolishing houses in Mukuru. If they try to demolish the houses, call us. If you want to relocate the people build good houses and prioritise these people. Do not demolish houses for the people when they do not have a place to go. Citizens are not animals. Have a human heart.,” Raila said during the food distribution exercise in Mukuru kwa Rueben on Friday, May 3, 2024.
“If you come by force… we are the force. We shall come together and die with you. Mukuru must stay.”
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