Thika Town Member of Parliament (MP) Patrick Wainaina on Monday launched a campaign to oppose an edict issued by Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu.
The MP declared that he would be leading residents of the Kiandutu slum to protest an eviction order issued by the county government.
The slum, which is under the MP’s jurisdiction, happens to be the largest in the constituency and home to thousands of people.
“I will personally talk to Kiandutu residents over the issue. You know I am not the type to be intimidated,” the MP declared.
Speaking to the residents on Monday, the MP argued that they had already lived in the area for over 50 years and infrastructure projects could not be used to evict them.
“We want to tell those leaders who have been telling residents of Kiandutu slums to relocate that it will not happen.
“This is where they have known as home for more than half a century,” he stated.
The MP is also opposed to the governor’s project due to his own personal initiative ongoing in the slum.
“The programme involves building better houses for residents and this is already happening.
“That is why we are telling those keen on relocating the people to keep off,” he explained.
Residents of the slums backed the MP’s call vowing to oppose any county officials who may attempt to forcefully remove them from the slum.
“The county must be prepared to face resistance from the residents. This is where we were born and raised.
“We will not allow anyone to move us from our home,” stated a local businessman George Njuguna.