Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Acting Party leader Governor Anyang Nyong’o has condemned the manner in which Woodley eviction was carried out.

In a statement on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, the Kisumu Governor decried how occupants of the houses were kicked out where he indicated that bulldozers landed on their homes in the dead of the night.

While admitting that the idea of constructing high-density residences is welcomed, Governor Nyong’o maintained that kicking people out at night is inhumane.

The Kisumu City governor maintained that the involved officials could have made prior arrangements before sending bulldozers to bring down the houses.

Anyang Nyong’o who rose to ODM’s leadership ranks following the exit of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga who is eyeing the continental seat, noted that the night eviction is a violation of the Kenyan constitution and United Nations guidelines on involuntary resettlement.

“The idea of using the space at Woodley estate to house more people by constructing apartments is welcome. However, the manner in which the demolitions were conducted in the middle of the night was inhumane and shocking. The better procedure would have been to develop a high-density housing unit elsewhere and facilitate the transfer of Woodley residents there in a humane and well-organized manner,” Nyong’o’s statement read in part.

“To go out at night and bring down the houses is a colonial approach that should not happen in Kenya today. The Woodley demolitions is a clear breach of Article 43(1)(b) of the Constitution of Kenya, and the UN guidelines on Involuntary Resettlement,” it added.

Home for imminent persons

According to Nyong’o, Woodley Estate located along Ngong Road is historical having housed some of the imminent individuals in the country.

The governor mentioned the father of former US President Barrack Obama, the late Jaramogi Oginga’s speech writer Odinge Odera and former State House official and well-known broadcaster Sammy Lai among others.

“It should be noted that Woodley Estate has been home to many Kenyans one of whom is the Kapeguria 16 freedom fighter Ramogi Achieng Oneko Woodley was also home to Barack Obama Senior, the father to former US President Barack Obama.

“Others who have been living at Woodley were Argwings Kodhek, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga’s speechwriter Odinge Odera, former State House official and well-known broadcaster Sammy Lai and Ukambani politician, the late Mutu Mutisya, among many other professionals and history makers,” Nyong’o wrote on his official Facebook page.

He thus condemned the demolitions while calling on Nairobi County to intervene.

“The ODM party wishes to condemn the demolitions and appeal to the Nairobi County Government not to be Pharisees in the execution of the law but to be humane in serving Kenyans.”

Bulldozers smashed through fences and flattened homes following the expiry of the vacate deadline at midnight on November 19, 2024.

Some occupants had already vacated after receiving compensation from the Nairobi county government. However, others were forcefully evicted, paving way for the construction of high-density apartments.

Before the destruction, Woodley Residents Welfare Society tried to chart a way forward after the group lost a petition seeking to block the eviction of certain tenants.