Ruto issues directive on Kenyans facing evictions
President William Ruto on Friday, March 14, 2025, placed an embargo on forceful evictions without a proper resettlement plan or alternative.
Speaking in the Njiru area during his Nairobi development tour, the head of state confirmed that his administration was well aware of various land disputes in the city and other parts of the country.
However, Ruto announced that no one should be kicked out of any disputed land until the affected people are provided with alternatives.
While giving the directive, Ruto indicated that his Kenya Kwanza administration was at an advanced stage of addressing the major land disputes where owners are seeking orders to evict occupants.
“The government is aware of land disputes in many parts of the country, including Nairobi County. As we seek to resolve these challenges, no eviction will be carried out until the affected families are provided with alternatives,” a statement shared by Ruto.
Sakaja plea
Ruto made the remarks following Governor Johnson Sakaja’s plea, who indicated that Njiru residents were living in fear of being evicted following a land dispute with Kirima’s family.
Sakaja told the head of state that his administration had negotiated with the affected occupants and struck a deal for them to pay for the said pieces of land.
He, however, lamented over the delay in the release of title deeds affecting the transaction.
“Tunakuomba mambo ya title deeds, zimekwama sana uko juu. utusaidie watu wapate title deeds (We request you to help us regarding the issue of title deeds that are not yet out),” Sakaja implored the head of state.
Reacting to Sakaja’s plea, Ruto confirmed that the government had agreed to collaborate with the county government to engage the Kirima family.
He publicly revealed that the government asked the Kirima’s family to accept an installment payment plan from some of the people who had already set up houses in the contested vast piece of land.
“Sisi, national government pamoja na county government tumeongea na jamii ya Kirima na tumesema mwananchi asifurushwe. Ile Tutafanya ni vile tulifanya kule Waitiki, wananchi atapatiwa nafasi na taratibu ya pole pole yule amejenga nyumba mzuri tutampimia shamba yake na apatiwe title deed kisha alipe pole pole (The national government together the county administration have engaged with Kirima’s family to avert the planned evictions, We want to handle the matter in a similar way he dealt with the issue in Waitiki where the citizens will be given title deeds and then allowed to pay without being rushed),” Ruto clarified.
