Tensions escalate in Woodley as homes are set for demolition

As they had been supported to stroll to the playground, the venue the place a bit of residents had gathered for a gathering, the nervousness of the aged and frail senior residents was evident on their faces.

For the many years they’ve lived in Woodley, nothing has shaken them greater than the latest information that their houses are earmarked for demolition to make means for the redevelopment of the property by the Nairobi County Authorities.

Clearly frail, the aged and sickly residents had been decided to not miss the assembly convened by the Woodley Residents Welfare Society (WRWS), the place they hoped to chart a means ahead after the welfare group misplaced a petition searching for to dam the eviction of sure tenants. The eviction is a part of the county authorities’s city renewal housing challenge in partnership with Africa Reit Ltd.

The assembly, held final Thursday, was seen as a ultimate try to stop the looming evictions, that are anticipated at any time. The presence of the aged residents, who turned as much as categorical their displeasure, was arduous to disregard. In spite of everything, they carry the reminiscences of the property, which was initially constructed by the then-British colonial mayor, Sir Richard Woodley.

Although the aged didn’t converse a lot, their sentiments had been clearly conveyed by retired broadcaster and former director of presidential occasions, Sammy Lui.

Among the many 43 tenants anticipated to vacate their houses is Lui, a long-time resident who has lived within the property for 53 years. For him, the eviction discover is each distressing and disheartening.

“We’ve got nothing towards the challenge, however we ought to be engaged. Even this house you see right here wouldn’t have been preserved if we weren’t vigilant,” he stated, including that the eviction discover has prompted sleepless nights for a lot of residents.

In response to the aggrieved residents, the county authorities did not contain them within the public participation course of as required by legislation.

“I’m among the many 43 tenants anticipated to vacate, but I’ve by no means been a part of any public participation course of the county claims to have performed. They authorised the demolition of outdated homes marked as Lot One and Lot Two with out consulting us,” stated Lui.

WRWS secretary, Peter Ngatia, acknowledged that they’ve invited Governor Johnson Sakaja to listen to their issues.

The property, which includes 300 housing items, together with flats and two- and three-bedroom standalone bungalows, was constructed within the Forties and Fifties. It is likely one of the many decades-old estates the county goals to demolish with a view to construct new high-rise residences to accommodate town’s rising inhabitants.

“We’ve got satisfactory open house. There isn’t a must demolish an property the place some tenants have lived for 50 to 70 years, serving this nation. Folks like Lui, who’re aged and ill, ought to be revered,” stated Dr Ngatia.

He added: “We’re additionally interesting to President William Ruto, Prime Cupboard Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga to intervene. All of them have a powerful historical past and reference to this property.”

Initially, all appeared nicely when Ngatia and different officers met with Sakaja in February to debate the redevelopment plan. Nevertheless, in line with Ngatia, a committee shaped to supervise the talks was later dissolved with out clarification.

He stated the property was by no means amongst these earmarked for redevelopment underneath the regimes of former governors Evans Kidero, Mike Sonko, or the Nairobi Metropolitan Providers.