[PHOTOS OF THE DAY] Mukuru kwa Njenga residents still in the cold after demolitions

Those living on road reserves were asked to vacate for the expansion of Catherine Ndereba Road.

by The Star

News22 November 2021 - 15:36

In Summary

• It appears the demolitions went beyond the intended marked territory which was initially to be on Catherine Ndereba Road that had been encroached on by the public.

• NMS Director General Lt Mohammed Badi said Uhuru will provide iron sheets, timber and other building materials for the 76,000 affected residents.

Joseph Mwangangi walks out of his shelter at Mukuru Kwa Njenga slums after his house was demolished on 22, November 2021./ MERCY MUMO

Mukuru kwa Njenga residents are agonising over their next move after the government demolished their houses to pave way for a vital city link road.

Those living on road reserves were asked to vacate for the expansion of Catherine Ndereba Road. It will link the area to the Nairobi Expressway.

A family at Mukuru Kwa Njenga slums carry on with their daily activities outside their shelter on 22, November 2021./ MERCY MUMO

However, it appears the demolitions went beyond the intended marked territory which was initially to be on Catherine Ndereba Road that had been encroached on by the public.

Brian Mutua and Josphat Mwathi rest in their shelter at Mukuru Kwa Njenga slums after their house was demolished on 22, November 20/1./ MERCY MUMO

But there might be some hope for the residents after President Uhuru Kenyatta promised to cater for building materials.

Nairobi Metropolitan Services Director General Lt General Mohammed Badi said Uhuru will provide iron sheets, timber and other building materials for the 76,000 affected residents.

A man sits in deep thought next to his property at Mukuru Kwa Njenga slums on 22, November 2021./ MERCY MUMO

Nairobi county assembly Majority leader Abdi Hassan Guyo last week said Uhuru was shocked to learn that some residents were evicted and displaced despite their territory not being marked for demolitions.

Benta Serena and Isaac Ishimuli seat next to their grand mother Dorcus Anyona as she prepares something to eat in Mukuru Kwa Njenga Slums on 22, November 2021./ MERCY MUMO

In August 2017, the Nairobi City County officially declared Mukuru as a Special Planning Area, stopping any further development for two years until a Mukuru Integrated Development Plan is produced.

A child seat in anguish on a section of the demolished houses in Mukuru Kwa Njenga Slums./MERCY MUMO

Last Friday, Badi donated iron sheets for the affected families to construct shelters in the mean time.

A child walks outside their shelter in Mukuru Kwa Njenga slums carrying some house hold materials. This is after their house was demolished on 22, November 2021./ MERCY MUMO

Mukuru Kwa Njenga started with fewer than 4,000 people from across the railway to Njenga’s residence. Today, the slum has expanded to 113,000 people in eight zones.

House hold items left unattended at Mukuru Kwa Njenga mass demolition early this month on 22, November 2021./ MERCY MUMO

Nairobi’s Mukuru informal settlement is set to undergo the first social housing programme at Sh15 billion.

The project will see over 13,000 housing units built in the area, which will be undertaken as a joint venture between the government and private investors.

Brian Mutua and Josphat Mwathi share a meal in their shelter at Mukuru Kwa Njenga slums on 22, November 2021 after their house was demolished./ MERCY MUMO

Mukuru Kwa Njenga started with fewer than 4,000 people from across the railway to Njenga’s residence. Today, the slum has expanded to 113,000 people in eight zones.