A group of Nairobi residents yesterday took to the streets to demonstrate against what they describe as unplanned development projects in the capital, resulting to forced evictions.

Accompanied by human rights activists, they marched through the city, brandishing placards and chanting slogans.

 “ Most of our estates are now slums. Sakaja has totally refused to listen to the professionals. He only listens to those who give him kickbacks while giving them building approvals. We will be on these streets until our concerns are addressed,” said Francis Awino.

Kitusuru Member of the County Assembly Alvin Orlando urged Governor Johnson Sakaja to prioritise the welfare of city residents.

“Due to this unlawful development, my chief officers have faced threats. If you cannot respect Nairobians, you will be held accountable. I will address this petition,” the MCA declared.

Human Rights Organisation Amnesty International criticised the evictions in informal settlements, highlighting their exacerbation of challenges faced by vulnerable groups already grappling with flood aftermath.

Accountability and justice

The organisation proposed a community-centered Relocation Action Plan (RAP), emphasising inclusivity, transparency, and accountability. They called for immediate emergency assistance, recommending cash transfers of Sh30,000 up from the government’s initial Sh10,000 per household.

Amnesty also demanded accountability and justice for lives lost, properties destroyed, and disrupted livelihoods during the evictions, advocating for humane interventions in government disaster management during crises.

 The demos come after it emerged that some strangers have been illegally sitting in the crucial Nairobi County Government’s Urban Planning Technical Committee.

 The two are the current Chief of staff David Njoroge, and former South C MCA Osman Khalif Abdi, one of governor Sakaja’s aide.

As the heavy rains continued to pound most parts of the country over the past weeks, Nairobi county was not spared with thousands displaced, lives lost and businesses disrupted.

Some were left stranded on roads as major roads were cut off by the flash floods.

According to the government report, the crisis has left 411,825 individuals and 58,009 households displaced in Nairobi alone.