Miguna Miguna has attacked Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga’s unity pack, terming it a handcheque following Monday’s demolition of houses in Kibera slums to pave way for construction of a sh 2 billion link road.
This comes despite, an agreement with Human Rights Body Amnesty International in which the affected families were to be helped to relocate first before demolishing the structures. The residents numbering 20,000 were warned about the demolitions but many stayed put prompting the government to evict them forcefully as early as 5.00 am.
The affected residents claimed earlier this month to be victims of a diverted project path. They say they are sacrificial lambs in a ploy that saw the original land earmarked for the project grabbed by powerful individuals.
Although they insisted they are not opposed to the project, they claimed the existence of four different maps highlighting different pathways for the project are extremely confusing.
Kibera, Nairobi and Kenya have made world news again – 30,000 plus homeless civilians – thanks to @UKenyatta‘s #Handcheque with @RailaOdinga. These suffering people were the ones who bore the brunt of @UKenyatta‘s brutal police and Mungiki from July 2017 to March 2018. @BBCWorld https://t.co/DpBIBLG0GZ
— Dr. Miguna Miguna (@MigunaMiguna) July 23, 2018
“The construction of Ngong Road-Kibera-Kiungu Karumba-Langata Link Road is at advanced stage. However, there are illegal structures which are on the said road reserve that hindered construction works at Kibera,” reads part of the warning statement. “This is therefore to give Public Notice that these structures must be removed before 16th July, 2018.” The Ngong Road-Kungu Karumba-Lang’ata link road is expected to ease traffic in the capital city of Nairobi and has been in the pipeline since as far back as 2012
The Kenya Urban Roads Authority (Kura) had maintained there would be no compensation for the residents as the land belongs to government. Kura Communication Officer, John Cheboi observed that a majority of the structure owners were landlords living in Langata and they would only be assisting the families directly affected. “You cannot compensate someone for land that they do not own because they do not have title deeds. We will however give out something ‘small’ to help the residents relocate. They will also be allowed to carry their structural materials,” added Cheboi.
By illegally GRABBING public land the size of three provinces, Jomo Kenyatta – @UKenyatta‘s father – and Daniel arap Moi – @UKenyatta‘s step Dad and political caretaker – CREATED homelessness and the slums in all urban areas like Kibera. We want back our land and resources.
— Dr. Miguna Miguna (@MigunaMiguna) July 24, 2018
It has now been revealed that the demolition has affected two primary schools in the area. Makina Self-help Primary School and Adventure Pride Centre were taken down in the early morning exercise. Egesa Children’s Centre, a children’s home, was also affected. There was heavy security in the slums as the exercise kicked off at with officers drawn from various security agencies patrolled the slum as bulldozers brought down the structures. It seems the government is taking a firmer hand when it comes to matters relating eviction of people from government reserves.
The Kibera demolition comes in the wake of the controversial Mau Forest evictions which has elicited different reactions from leaders. Pictures have emerged online of people’s houses being torched with all their property intact. Elgeyo Marakwet Senator, who also doubles up as the Senate Majority leader, recently claimed sensationally that the evictions were being masterminded by former prime minister Raila Odinga.
The claims received a swift reaction from ODM MPs who claimed that Murkomen is in government and therefore has more information on the evictions.
The MEANING of Handshake/Handcheque between @UKenyatta & @RailaOdinga: Incommunicado detention without trial, extrajudicial killings, torture, sedation, forced exile, barbaric evictions of innocent civilians from Kibera, sale of poisonous foods and theft of TRILLIONS of our money
— Dr. Miguna Miguna (@MigunaMiguna) July 23, 2018
Narok North MP, Moitalel Ole Kenta said the evictions were being co-ordinated by the Deputy President’s office.
“We are not lesser Kenyans nor are we children of a lesser God. We support the eviction.Let Murkomen and his people know that one cannot come all the way from Baringo, Bomet, Kericho and Elgeyo Marakwet to tell the Maasais which land they own and those they dont,” Kenta said. “I would also like to tell Murkomen and his henchmen that the Maasai people are ready for them.”
Both President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Deputy have not spoken publicly about the evictions despite the latter attending numerous public functions over the weekend.