Why encroachers on power lines won’t heed notice to vacate
By Reuben.Mwambingu, February 16, 2022Thousands of residents who have encroached on land reserved for power transmission lines in the congested Bangladesh slum in Mombasa now say they can only vacate after the upcoming national exams and August 9 polls.
In an interview with People Daily yesterday, the residents said they will not allow Kenya Power to infringe on their constitutional rights and freedoms.
A notice signed by Kenya Power Chief Wayleaves officer, addressed to residents of Milindani, Jomvu, Miritini, Bangladesh and Kaa Chonjo areas indicated that some of them have infringed on the 132 and 33 Kilovolts power lines from Rabai to Kipevu.
“…You have been warned verbally by our representatives of the dangers involved where power line comes into contact with building and people. This would lead to serious consequences that include fatalities and damage of property,” the notice.
“Members of the public who have buildings, under, near or within the wayleaves corridor are hereby given a week’s notice to remove the same. Failure to comply with this notice shall leave Kenya Power with the options of recovering of electric power supply from your premises, demolition of the encroaching structures to ensure public safety,” notice adds.
However, the residents have protested the notice, saying if implemented, it will only plunge them into crisis by denying candidates their rights to sit exams that are due next month as well as deny residents their democratic right to participate in the August elections.
“The notice is not within the law. It is a criminal notice because it does not provide an alternative. Most of the people who live here have got no second home and if you evict them where do you think they will go? How come they are noticing it today that our existence here can cause fatalities? posed George Onyaya Omodo, a resident of Bangladesh.
Yesterday, Kenya Power Coast Regional Manager Hicks Waswa was of the view that the residents have been courting death by residing next to high voltage power lines and it is only safe for them to vacate.