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Legislators from Nairobi City County have asked Parliament to summon Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) Director-General Lt General Mohamed Badi to shed light on increased haphazard demolitions of property and markets, many a time without any eviction notice.

Addressing the press at Good Shepherd Church, Ngong Road, in Nairobi, they alleged NMS has been conducting evictions and demolitions in a manner that is outright inhumane.

“Most of these demolitions are happening in the middle of the night when there is a curfew in effect, this shows there is lack of transparency to avoid any form of recourse,” they said in a joint statement read by Nairobi Senator Johnson Sakaja.

Deadly demolitions

Sakaja was flanked by Dagoretti South John Kiarie and his Embakasi North counterpart Benjamin Mwangi.

Citing Kahawa West deadly demolitions where one person was shot dead and property worth millions vandalised, the MPs said the demonstrations that ensued were as a result of piling frustrations among constituents.

“At the end of the day all everyone wants is to put food on the table for their families. Law enforcement institutions in their pursuit to restore order must use restrained force,” Sakaja added.

“Alex Macharia, a tuk tuk driver lost his life after he was hit by stray bullet, his family  has lost their bread winner. Why are police officers using live bullets to quell demonstrations? He posed.

Areas in Nairobi affected by a spate of demolitions and evictions include Chokaa, Njiru, Dandora, Githurai and Kariobangi, some of which have resulted in injuries and loss of properties with affected residents left to spend nights in the cold.