More than 50 families were left homeless in Kangemi after the area assistant chief allegedly led the demolition of houses in the war on illicit liquor. Residents said the assistant chief and some youths arrived on Friday morning and started demolishing the houses. They said their property was thrown out of the houses before the roofs were removed.
“The assistant chief, who we only know as Mrs Nyakundi, came with armed youths and evicted us. She claimed we have been brewing illegal liquor yet it’s not true. If indeed we were engaging in the business of illegal brew, then the chief should have come with police to arrest us,” resident Norman Mwale said. Residents said the owner of the plot works and lives in Ngong and they have no rent dispute with him. They said the youths carted away their property. Residents said they reported the matter to the Kabete police station.
The assistant chief was unavailable to comment.
However, area senior chief Narman Kareithi said he has received complaints from residents and the local security committee is investigating. He spoke to the Star on Friday evening. “Normally, the area is full of illegal brewers. Occasionally, we will remove the doors of the houses to punish the culprits, but we never remove the roof nor damage property. Once we have all the facts, we will communicate,” Kareithi said.
Residents said the assistant chief should be made to pay for the damaged property.
