Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya coalition party leaders Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka were on Tuesday, October 17, 2023, barred by the police from accessing the Athi River demolition site.
Raila, accompanied by Kalonzo and Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti had gone to view the East African Portland Cement (EAPC) site in Athi River, where demolitions are currently ongoing.
“I can’t let you go in because you will interrupt what is going on. Just continue and hold your meeting elsewhere. If I did not allow the area member of parliament and the governor. I will not let you get in. We know that when you start talking, things will start unfolding,” the officer in charge told the leaders.
In a statement moments after being turned away, the Azimio leaders vowed to help the Athi River victims get justice in case the government does not act swiftly.
“The Kenya Kwanza administration must immediately halt any further demolitions. It must share with the victims and the country the immediate plans to pay compensation for property that has been unlawfully destroyed and to find alternative settlement for the victims,” Raila stated.
“This brutality will not go unchallenged. This brutality will have to be answered for and accounted for. If the government does not act, we will help the people to act.”
Athi River demolitions inhumane
Raila termed the demolitions as inhumane, accusing President William Ruto of reneging on his campaign promises of not allowing such evictions.
“It is a fact that in July 2022, during the launch of the Kenya Kwanza manifesto, Ruto promised that he would put to an end the culture of illegal evictions of people and property demolition if elected president. He went on to promise that where necessary, affected people would be provided with enough notice and compensation promptly paid,” he stated.
“Well, it is October 2023, and a human tragedy is unfolding before the eyes of Kenyans, under Ruto’s watch and his loud silence. What has gone on here in Mavoko these past few days is not just inhumane, it is also ungodly.”
On Tuesday, October 17, 2023, the East African Portland Cement announced plans to sell a section of its land in Mavoko, Machakos County, amid protests over ongoing demolitions.
In a public notice published in the local dailies on Tuesday, October 17, the construction company that has been embroiled in a protracted land dispute with local investors in recent years, said it had resolved to sell plot numbers 8784/144, 145 & 653 through a “regularisation model”.
The company further announced that persons occupying the land would be given priority.
