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More than 800 families residing in Uasin Gishu County owned houses in Pioneer Estate were yesterday forcefully evicted to pave way for the construction of an affordable housing project under President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza pre-election pledge.

The tenants who have been living in the targeted estate for the past 30 years complained against the county government’s move, which they termed as inhuman.

Led by Denis Bwire, the victims accused the regional government of displacing them from their houses without adequate notice to look for an alternative place to relocate to with their children.

“It is inhuman for the county government to ambush us with eviction from our houses we have called home for over 30 years. Where do they expect us to move with our school going children,” posed Bwire.

Alternative schools

Another evictee, Margaret Koech, pleaded with the county to give them a grace period of two months to enable them to seek for alternative schools for their children instead of treating them like refugees in their own country.

“We are wondering why the county government went against its promise last month to allow us to stay in our houses for at least two months as we look for an alternative place to relocate with our children,” said Koech.

While touring the targeted estate two days ago, area Governor Jonathan Bii had asked the tenants to move out instead of waiting to be evicted by the county law enforcement officers..

Bii told the tenants that there should be no cause for worry since they will be given first priority in buying the newly constructed housing units upon completion.

The county chief said that the President is expected to launch the housing project next week during his tour of development projects in the region.

“We have agreed to give each tenant Sh10,000 to seek an alternative house to relocate with his or her family to save them from more suffering, “said Bii.

But a section of the affected families claimed that not all the victims were catered for as promised by the county noting that only ten people have so far been paid the money.

“The county government should tell us what criteria is being used to give out Sh10,000 to the victims of eviction because the majority of the families have not been sorted out,” said a retired county employee who declined to be named for fear of victimization..