- She says the project was initiated by former President Uhuru Kenyatta and Ruto had nothing to do with the demolitions
- On Friday, 19 families were forcefully evicted from Changamwe’s National Housing Corporation estate to pave way for Phase 1 of affordable housing project
Image: JOHN CHESOLI
Nominated Senator Miraj Abdillahi has defended President William Ruto against demolition of houses in Changamwe, Mombasa county.
Abdillahi, who was nominated by UDA said the project was initiated by former President Uhuru Kenyatta and Ruto had nothing to do with the demolitions.
Opposition leader Raila Odinga condemned the government for evicting the families without giving them an alternative place to live in.
On Friday, 19 families were forcibly evicted from Changamwe’s National Housing Corporation estate to pave way for Phase 1 of affordable housing project.
A multi-agency team led by NHC and police demolished 84 out of the 796 units that were still occupied.
The Changamwe housing project will sit on 58 acres. It is expected 20,000 affordable housing units will be put.
Raila said the demolition was an act of impunity against Kenyans.
He spoke on Saturday during an ODM recruitment in Mombasa county.
“That was the highest level of hypocrisy by the government. Why demolish houses without giving people options on where to go to?” Raila asked.
“We condemn this strongly because whatever happened was inhumane and unjust to the Changamwe residents.”
Mombasa Woman Representative ZamZam Mohammed, who visited the affected residents said the President will attract curses from mothers and children left in the cold.
Abdillahi said a notice was issued to the residents in 2019 to vacate the houses.
“Changamwe is among three estates that former Mombasa governor Hassan Joho authorised to be demolished, to pave way for affordable housing. It is a shame that ODM leaders have decided to politicise the matter,” she said.
“Where has the woman representative been when innocent girls are being killed? She has failed to talk about it and has never raised any issue affecting Mombasa in Parliament.”
The senator condemned the force used by the police saying that it was unfortunate and uncalled for.
Abdillahi said all families had the right to be protected.
“In as much they were issued with a notice to vacate, they ought to have been treated in a humane manner,” she said.
Abdillahi said she will not allow affordable housing be used to play politics, adding that the government had put in place proper plans to create jobs for the youth and women.
Raila said Kenya Kwanza has failed to properly implement the affordable housing agenda.
“We had this in our Azimio manifesto and what we are saying is that you cannot start chest-thumping. People have to sit down and discuss how it will happen and where the money will come from,” he said.
“This chest-thumping is the reason why the courts have stopped you from charging the housing levy from Kenyans. If you don’t know how to implement the project, come to us (Azimio), we will show you how it should be done."
Abdillahi said ODM has been throwing shades at the government and accusing the administration of failing Kenyans.
She said the government will remain firm in implementing its policies and delivering on the promises.
“President Ruto has a good plan and manifesto to develop Kenya. We promised Kenyans affordable housing during campaigns, but today people are making noise against this. Shame on you!” the senator said.
Changamwe, Buxton and Likoni are among three key housing projects initiated by Uhuru.
The government is set to build 100,000 housing units in the six coastal counties.
Mombasa will have the lion’s share of the units with 50,000 units, as Kilifi, Kwale and Taita Taveta counties get 10,000 units each.
Coast regional director Affordable Housing Programme and Markets John Karanja said once all the project sites are activated, about 180,000 both skilled and unskilled Kenyans in the region will get employment.
Phase 2 of the Buxton Housing project will have 1,512 units while Phase 1 will have 512 units.
Other project sites within the county include, Mzizima estate (2,000 units) and VOK in Nyali (2,850 units).
Contractors are already on site to begin works on Phase 1 of the Changamwe project with five acres already cleared.