Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, accompanied by Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo./HANDOUTA section of residents of Nairobi's Woodley estate are living on edge, having to contend with marauding hooded goons.
They claim the goons enter their homes, steal household items and issue warnings that they vacate the place or City Hall bulldozers flatten the premises.
The residents, who have now sought the help of police, say the lawless youths were let loose on them despite obtaining a court order that stopped City Hall's demolition at the estate.
The dispute stems from Nairobi County’s plan to demolish the estate’s ageing houses and replace them with affordable housing units.
However, tenants argue that the county is sidestepping the law, defying court orders that prohibit evictions while a legal case is pending.
City Hall denies links with any goons.
On July 10, the residents, through their lawyers, wrote to Nairobi Regional Police Commander George Seda, pleading for urgent intervention and increased security.
“Our clients are lawful tenants of county houses in Woodley,” the letter stated.
“Many are tenant-purchasers who’ve occupied these homes for decades. Yet they’re now facing unlawful break-ins and violent evictions, despite multiple High Court orders.”
The trouble began earlier this year when Nairobi County cited rent arrears and moved to repossess the properties.
But residents argue those arrears were waived in Gazette Notice No 2728 Vol CXXIII-No 5, issued in 2019 by then-Governor Mike Sonko.
In response, the residents—under the Woodley Development Initiative CBO—filed a case in the High Court, Judicial Review No E030 of 2025, to compel the county to honour the waiver and reconcile rent accounts. The court granted temporary orders halting all evictions.
The tenants say these orders are being ignored.
“County-enabled goons have broken into homes, stolen property and intimidated families,” the letter claimed.
“Residents are living in fear.”
Their lawyers have now filed a contempt of court application against the county’s chief officer for Housing and Urban Renewal, Lydia Mathia, accusing her of orchestrating the illegal evictions. The court is expected to rule on the application in early October.
In the meantime, the harassment is escalating, as men claiming to have been newly allocated the homes have shown up, in some cases forcing their way in with threats.
“They arrive with documents, say the house is now theirs and demand the current occupants leave—despite our clients having legal tenure,” the lawyers said.
The incidents have been reported at Kibera Police Station and while residents praised officers for their professionalism, they say more support is urgently needed.
“We request additional personnel and resources to handle these volatile situations,” the letter reads.
The issue has now reached the Nairobi county assembly, where Woodley MCA Davidson “DNG” Ngibuini has demanded answers.
“What happens to the remaining tenants who’ve gone to court? Will they be compensated or relocated? And who is behind these illegal evictions?” he asked on the floor of the assembly.
Initially, only 10 acres of the 100-acre estate were earmarked for redevelopment, affecting 42 homes. About 20 tenants accepted the county’s offer of Sh900,000—structured as Sh15,000 monthly support for three years. The remaining 22 tenants declined, citing unclear relocation plans, slow construction and inflation.
Now, the scope has expanded to cover the entire estate, heightening tensions.
“The county’s abrupt shift from 10 acres to the full 100 acres has left hundreds at risk,” said Sam Gachago, chair of the residents association.
“We want development, but not at the cost of dignity, due process and the law.”
While City Hall accuses the residents of living rent-free, they insist the 2019 rent waiver remains valid.
“We’re not refusing to pay—we just want fair treatment and legal clarity,” Gachago added.
As the case grinds through the courts, the residents of Woodley remain in limbo, fighting to hold on to their homes in a city changing faster than they can keep up.
Instant analysis
The escalating conflict in Nairobi’s Woodley estate highlights tensions between urban development and residents’ rights. While the county aims to modernise housing, residents face unlawful break-ins and intimidation despite court orders halting evictions. The dispute underscores challenges in balancing affordable housing needs with legal protections for long-term tenants. Allegations of county-linked goons deepen mistrust, while the expansion of redevelopment plans without clear relocation details fuels insecurity. Effective intervention by police and transparent, lawful negotiations are critical to prevent further unrest. This case exemplifies broader struggles in Kenya’s urban renewal efforts, where development must align with justice and community welfare.
