Residents of Mukuru Kwa Njenga Riara-Demand Government Compensation After House Demolitions
Residents of Mukuru Kwa Njenga Riara-Demand informal settlement in Nairobi have called on the government to compensate homeowners whose houses were demolished during a recent government operation.
The affected families say their homes were destroyed without adequate notice, consultation, or proper resettlement plans, leaving many people homeless and vulnerable. They are now urging the government to take responsibility by providing compensation, emergency shelter, and long-term support to help them rebuild their lives.
Speaking after a meeting with government officials and representatives from the national administration, community leaders said the demolitions have caused widespread suffering, particularly among children, the elderly, and low-income families who depended on the houses for both shelter and livelihood.
Residents also demanded transparency in the entire process, saying the demolition exercise lacked clear communication and humane implementation. They want the government to directly engage the community, conduct a proper damage assessment, and ensure fair compensation for all affected homeowners.
Community representatives emphasized that development should not come at the expense of human dignity, calling on authorities to adopt people-centered approaches when implementing public infrastructure and development projects.
“Development should not destroy lives. The government must respect human dignity, protect vulnerable citizens, and ensure justice for those affected,” said one community leader.
The residents have vowed to continue engaging authorities until concrete action is taken to address their plight.