President Uhuru Kenyatta has directed all evicted residents of Mukuru kwa Njenga slums in Nairobi be resettled.
Through Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’I, the President ordered the cessation of evictions in Mukuru kwa Njenga and the immediate resettlement of victims uprooted from the informal settlement on Christmas Day.
The CS, who was addressing Mukuru community leaders, said the Government will instead expedite negotiations with the private owners of the piece of land at the centre of the dispute.
‘’We want everyone who is currently displaced to go back immediately. The instructions are that we immediately cease every activity in Mukuru kwa Njenga until everyone has been resettled,’’ he said.
The CS announced that those who lost their shelters in the incident will be settled in the next 30 days, with a special focus on those currently sheltering in tents.
Matiang’I criticized the Christmas Day evictions as ‘insensitive and unnecessary’ and revealed that it had been executed by rogue officials who had already been disciplined for the aberrations.
The CS said while the Government respects private property and court-ordered evictions from disputed lands, it was also obliged to balance the enforcement of such rights and the welfare of displaced families.
“We respect court orders, but we will implement them in a framework that also respects the interests of the people we serve. We have called some of our officers to account,” he said.
However, he said the planned construction of roads and other infrastructure upgrades in the densely populated area will however go on as planned but under a negotiated consensus with residents.
Lands Cabinet Secretary Faridah Karoney who also attended the meeting said an audit of the title deeds held by the residents will be undertaken to regularize land tenure and informal property holdings in the area.
“Only surveyors from the Ministry of Lands will be involved in the undertaking to avoid conflict of interest and interference by cartels,” she said.
The meeting was also addressed by Nairobi Metropolitan Services Director General Lt. Gen Mohammed Badi and Inspector General of Police Hilary Mutyambai.
Demolitions at Mukuru Kwa Njenga slums started in October to pave way for construction of the Nairobi Expressway.
The government asked those residing along the road reserves to vacate, with Nairobi Regional Commissioner, James Kianda, adding the expansion of Catherine Ndereba Road will connect the Nairobi Expressway with Industrial Area and also open up the slum for business.
“This road will act as an exit from the Expressway at a link road that is being constructed around City Cabanas junction. Businesses that are situated along the road, like Jua Kali are expected to pick up,” he said.
About 40,000 people have been made homeless by demolition works for the major Chinese-backed toll road.
People lost clothing and other personal belongings, and dozens of families are now sleeping in makeshift tents.