At least fifty houses including churches and mosques have been demolished in Athi River, Machakos County since Friday, August 14.
The demolition started after Machakos High Court declared the occupation of the disputed East Africa Portland Cement (EAPC) illegal.
“We don’t have any notice. Normally we would receive notice by law that should be twenty-one days’ notice,” said one resident as bulldozers flattened the houses.
Further, the court ordered the eviction of those owning the 1,740 hectares of land.
“I am a supplier and I always deliver building materials. But now that business is gone because even customers have suffered losses,” said one resident.
However, the residents occupying the land have asked the government to intervene and overturn the court decision.
“To the president, when you were here you promised us that no house will not be demolished without the owners agreeing.
People own these houses, and they will sleep in the cold today,” said another resident.
Moreover, the residents said some government officials are involved in what they called mistreatment after EAPC won a legal dispute to evict squatters from the land after claimants failed to produce documents to prove ownership.
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Ruto’s order
On Friday, October 13, President William Ruto ordered the management of Export Processing Zones (EPZs) to revoke land leases which have not been developed and give priority to investors ready to support manufacturing agenda.
Speaking during launch of Square Pharmaceuticals Kenya President Ruto said this will give room for expansion of the EPZ and enhance the production of local pharmaceutical products.
“All speculators, people who have held title deeds of lands here for up to 30 years without developing them should be revoked so that we can give them to people who want to use this facility,” said Ruto.
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Moreover, the president stated that the pieces of land would be used for manufacturing of various materials for exportation.
Further, Ruto noted that because of that decision, there was an extra 250 acres of land that will be used for development at the EPZ.
“They are now out of this place, and we can bring additional pieces of land and additional space into the manufacturing space here in EPZ Athi River,” he added.
Ruto said all the products manufactured locally will be given priority in procurement of all government pharmaceutical requirements.
