Two people have been killed, and three others injured as a result of the ongoing demolitions in Mukuru kwa Reuben slums in Nairobi.
The residents attributed the deaths to the forced demolitions before adequate relocation arrangements were made.
“We blame the government because they should issue a notice before starting the demolitions so that we can prepare and save the items we have. We can’t move and leave our belongings,” Joshua Masese, one of the victims said.
According to reports, a 24-year-old man and a 9-year-old child were inside one of the houses set for demolitions on Saturday, May 4, 2024.
However, Makadt Sub-County Police Commander Judy Nyongesa refuted the claims asserting that the victims perished while attempting to dismantle their houses.
This comes after President Ruto ordered forceful evacuation of residents in high-risk areas to prevent fatalities from flooding.
“We have been hugely affected, we slept in the cold, and we have not eaten anything,” noted one of the residents.
Some of the resident’s sort shelter at the Reuben Secondary School while others created makeshift camps at the Chiefs office.
The demolitions continued after the 48 hours granted by the authorities catching most of the residents unprepared.
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Ruto Issues Evacuation Orders
Speaking on Friday, May 3, President William Ruto ordered Interior CS Kithure Kindiki to enforce the re-location notices issued to people living on riparian land in Nairobi.
Ruto also directed the Ministry of Interior to coordinate the relocation and evacuation of people affected by floods.
Additionally, the ministry was ordered to identify sites for temporary shelter for displaced persons and supervise the overall support programs.
“In Nairobi, settlements in riparian reserves have complicated the response efforts and compounded and aggravated the risks to human life and safety. The Ministry of Interior is hereby directed to enforce the re-location notices issued earlier upon their expiry at 6:30 pm today,” Ruto said.
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Raila Defends Mukuru kwa Reuben Residents
However, Opposition Leader Raila Odinga issued a warning about the ongoing demolitions at Mukuru Kwa Reuben.
Speaking on the same day, Raila told the residents to call the opposition for support if the government continued with the demolitions plans.
Raila declared that they were ready to fight with the people, adding, “If they come with aggression, we are aggression.”
“Now, I’m saying here that these people should not demolish the houses in Mukuru Kwa Reuben. If they try to demolish, it’s on us; we will come, both us and you. We don’t want that,” Raila said.
But if they come with aggression, we are aggression; we know aggression very well. We will come together to die together with you. Mukuru must stay! Leave the people of Mukuru alone.”
The ODM leader argued that the government should provide alternative accommodations before evacuating people.
He asked the president to have a sense of humanity and provide decent house before forcefully demolishing houses.
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