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Close to 5,000 families living in five estates on the outskirts of Eldoret City are facing eviction to pave the way for President William Ruto’s multi-billion shilling housing project.

The targeted estates located  along the busy Eldoret-Webuye highway have been around for over 70 years.

According to the Uasin Gishu County government, through the department of Housing and Urban Development, the affected families have until April 12 to vacate their house.

The  vacate notice signed by the County Chief Officer for Housing and Urban Development Julius Koech is addressed to victims residing in Kilimani, Tom Mboya, Kuria, W.C.C and Kamanda estates.

The notice, dated January 13,2025, read in part’:  As per the lease agreement, you are hereby given three months ( 90 days ) Notice to vacate the houses with effect from January to April 12,2025 to pave way for implementation of Kidiwa 2 affordable housing project.

Most of the families living in the defunct Eldoret Municipal Council houses are employees of the regional government, with a few from the national government.

The affected families have appealed to the concerned authorities to delay the impending demolition of their houses, terming the notice too short for them to look for an alternative place to relocate.

Speaking to the media, a subordinate staff  at Uasin Gishu county government expressed fear that her earning would be crippled by the high rent she would encounter outside the estate.

She claimed that her house is about Sh3,000 and that she used to pay a paltry Sh2,000 per month in her current two bedroom house in Kamade estate.

“I have three children in primary school and two in high school and yet my salary cannot enable me to move to Huruma or Kapsoya estates where the house rents are high,” said the employee who declined to be named for fear of victimisation.

Another victim, a driver with the national government, asked the State to allow them to stay until December to enable their children who are sitting the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education exam complete writing the test.

“We kindly appeal to the government to allow our children to finish their school calendar especially those who are due to sit for their Form Four national examination this year,” said the driver who sought