Government-sanctioned bulldozers have torn through multi-million shilling properties within 30 metres of riparian land in Nairobi, leaving dejected and angry property owners in their wake.
The destruction has especially stricken areas within Eastlands but has now been extended to places such as Industrial Area.
Kenya Kwanza MPs are empathising with their voters affected by the large-scale demolitions but their hands are tied because of state involvement.
While being cautious not to contradict the government, the lawmakers at the same time are facing rebellion from their supporters who are loudly criticising their representatives’ silence.
Critics of the Kenya Kwanza administration are now seizing upon the apparent crisis to emphasise that leaders have deserted their constituents.
“Since the demolitions started, no leader from the Kikuyu community has come out to say this thing is wrong…I want to tell [DP Rigathi] Gachagua and [Interior CS Kithure] Kindiki that you have failed the community,” Korogocho MCA Absalom Odhiambo, popularly known as Matakwei, told the media this week.
An MP from Mt Kenya, who declined to be named, told the Star that the demolitions carried out by the Interior ministry are making legislators unpopular on the ground.
"The demolition is just bad, we are becoming very unpopular because it is like our people are on their own," the first-term MP said.
Another UDA MP who requested not to be named confided to the Star that the wrecking had thrust them between a rock and a hard place.
“This way the whole thing is being executed is just wrong, we receive distress calls from our people who are questioning our silence on the matter,” a Nairobi MP said.
Opposition MPs have condemned the bulldozing but the government has continued unabated.
President Ruto has pledged to restore riparian land around the Nairobi River and its tributaries. Many buildings, notably informal settlements, are too close to the water, not only polluting the environment but placing residents in danger in case of flooding.
The government said many of these properties themselves caused heavy flooding last month and occupants face loss of life and property.
Starehe MP Amos Mwago said, however, the ongoing destruction has caused great suffering to many residents who have found themselves spending the night in the cold.
He termed the razing of residential properties a human rights issue.
“The ongoing demolitions relay a distressing picture of inhumane treatment, with houses being demolished without regard to the well-being of residents,” Mwago said. “Mothers and children are being left to sleep in the cold without the support of government.”
He also alleged the demolitions have been marred by excessive use of force with incidents of people tragically being shot by security officers.
Nairobi’s Starehe constituency is among those where bulldozers are clearing riparian areas.
Embakasi West MP Mark Mwenje faulted the government for creating Internally Displaced People (IDPs) in the capital city.
He also questioned why some buildings beyond the demolition radius were also being pulled down.
“We don’t know where these boundaries lie, in certain areas riparian land is six metres from the river, in other areas it is 60 metres.
A number of regulations set different distances to remain clear between the shore or high water mark and any construction.
A key plank in Ruto's election pledge was to bring an end to unjustified demolitions.
However, since taking over, the administration has overseen many demolitions, including knocking down houses on Portland Cement Land in Athi River.
The demolitions are coming at a time when a number of MPs from Ruto's Kenya Kwanza are also in a tight spot over the Finance Bill 2024.
The Bill calls for tax measures that many people say will further increase the cost of living.
Questions are also asked whether certain high-end estates in riparian areas are being spared in a case of double standards.
Estates such as Kileleshwa, Runda and Lavington are yet to be touched by the bulldozers.
Rurarka MP TJ Kajwang’ said he risks losing a whole constituency if a 60-metre radius is implemented.
“If they demolish within 60 metres, the whole of Ruaraka will be gone and I will have nobody to represent,” Kajwang’ said.
Dagoretti North MP Beatrice Elachi protested what she called selective implementation of the order.
“In Kileleshwa, Lavington and Runda, we have people who have built on riparian land, they [the bulldozers] need to go there also,” Elachi said.
She also demanded the government honour its part of the bargain by compensating those left homeless by the ongoing operation.
“The President said money will be put in the phones of these people as they move. We want to know the compliance with this directive and how much is the compensation,” Elachi stated.
