At least 1,000 families evicted from a land in Ruai, Nairobi County, three years ago have appealed to the government to give them back the plots.

Representatives asked President William Ruto to intervene and start the process of their resettlement as a “New Year gift from his administration”.

People who were thrown out of their homes at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 said they were relieved after Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki in a Gazette Notice revoked an earlier order declaring the land as government property.

Speaking to journalists at the site, their leaders appealed to relevant government agencies to facilitate them to acquire land ownership documents and provide water and other amenities which were cut off during the eviction.

Samuel Githinji said their lives have been unbearable as they were rendered homeless and have been struggling to feed and educate their children.

“We are here to thank the President and his Deputy Rigathi Gachagua for promising to resettle us after we were thrown out of our homes three years ago. This is the best New Year gift ever in our lives,” said Githinji.

He said once they repossess the land, they will embark on building their homes and lives, but called on both county and national governments to provide necessary infrastructure.

Mary Muthoni said Ruto’s government should come to their rescue.

“We have gone through untold suffering since we were evicted. Most of us are struggling to feed our families as well as pay rent after we were rendered homeless,” said Muthoni.

Adan Mohamed, a local community leader, praised the government’s revocation of the status of the land, saying it brings new hope to the eviction victims.