NAIROBI,Kenya, July 22 – Police engaged protesters in running battles Wednesday night following weeks of demonstrations over the demolition of property along Kangundo road,Nairobi July 10,2021.
Residents of Umoja and Mowlem areas protested against what they termed as illegal demolitions carried out by the Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS).
Residents and entrepreneurs along Kangundo road woke up to find their business premises destroyed despite no notice of eviction being issued.
The residents and traders accused police and the NMS of doing the bidding of an illegal private developer saying that their property and goods worth millions were destroyed for no apparent reason.
They further argued that they had acquired their land legally either through buying from the National Bank of Kenya and through other private entities and later provided with title deeds.
Wrangles over the piece of land has been ongoing for years, with a local company claiming original ownership.
The same company, is also said to own at least 818 acres of disputed land across Umoja, Nasra area, Umoja 3 and Sossion area.
The latest protests paralyzed transport along Kangundo road on Wednesday.
“Looters continue to steal our property and despite complaining to police, they have not done anything. We bought this land and we need government to protect us.” said an area resident.
Residents further said that their woes continued to persist after they turned down an attempt by a local businessman to purchase their land in order to set up a shopping mall.
“we condemned how they conducted the demolitions at night, residents have lost property worth million and nothing has been done to compensate them” said Mureithi Mwenje, area, leader.
Meanwhile one person is said to have ended his life following the destruction of his property.
His body is being preserved at the local morgue.
Embakasi West member of parliament George Theuri two weeks ago accused the police and NMS of applying selective justice saying that only small trader’s shops were targeted during the demolitions.
“What ever is happening here, we are wondering is there a court order? police said they came here to protect protesters but they actually started beating them. Several people claim ownership of this land, we want to know who is the real owner because how can people negotiate with several people that claim ownership…we have discussed this in parliament but we don’t have clear path. The government needs to provide solutions so that we protect people and their businesses.” said area MP Theuri.
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