Dozens of families in Nyamavilla, located within Kayole estate in Nairobi, have been left without shelter following early Monday demolitions.
The evictions are tied to a land dispute dating back to 2002 between a real estate company and individuals accused of illegally occupying the land.
Bulldozers swiftly dismantled homes, reducing them to rubble while helpless residents scrambled to save their belongings. Many were caught unprepared and left devastated by the loss of their homes.
One affected resident, a retired Kenyan Defense Forces (KDF) veteran, revealed how he invested his retirement savings into what he later discovered was disputed property. “I bought the land unaware it was part of a development project. I’ve now lost everything I worked for,” he lamented.
Did you read this?
Bishop Josiah, a tenant in the area, returned from burial to find his rented house being torn down. "I had no idea about the dispute. Now, I have nothing left," he said in anguish.
Another resident, Jackline Ikoa, narrowly escaped the chaos with her children. “The bulldozer was at my doorstep. We ran for our lives, leaving everything behind,” she shared.
Nominated MCA Joy Mwangi arrived to support the affected residents but admitted that little could be done as the demolitions were already underway. She expressed disappointment over the short notice given to families to vacate.
The real estate company has defended its actions, citing unpaid land payments as the reason for the demolitions. This marks the latest chapter in a long-standing conflict, following a similar operation 2018 that former President Uhuru Kenyatta halted.
