Families evicted in clean up
by Elizabeth Mwai

Over 120 families have been left homeless after the Nairobi City Council demolished their houses yesterday.

Kibagare slum residents in Uthiru estate were woken up by a rumbling bulldozer backed by a contingent of City Council guards and Administration police officers.

Kabete police chief Joseph Gichangi could not explain why the houses had been demolished, saying he had no knowledge of the operation.

"We are as surprised as every one else," Gichangi said, but confirmed it was the City Council that had demolished the structures.

The residents watched helplessly as their houses were mauled down, with police keeping vigil. Later, they took to the streets and confronted their chief, who fled on sensing danger.

The chairman of Kibagare slum residents, Mr Ndirangu Githia, accused the chief and his assistant of selling the land to a private developer.

Githia said this was the second time such demolitions were taking place. Some residents were evicted early this year to pave way for water pipes, he said.

Many of the affected families were bracing themselves for a night in the cold. Officials said most of them are poor and cannot afford alternative accommodation.

Among them was 62-year-old Margaret Wanjiku who was preparing breakfast for her three grand children when she heard people screaming as structures were pulled down.

Wanjiku said she had been raising her grandchildren in the house after their parents died from HIV and AIDS-related ailments.

"My grandchildren and I have no place to call a home now," she said.