This archive report was first published on 5 August 2020.
On August 4, Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko spoke out against the demolitions in Mukuru slums that resulted in the death of one person and injured several others.
The demolitions, carried out by the Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS), aimed to pave the way for the expansion of roads in the informal settlements, leaving approximately 5,000 families homeless.
According to residents, the demolitions were conducted without sufficient notice, causing widespread disruption and chaos.
"We are seeing a situation where some powerful and corrupt individuals seem not to care at all. As a county government, we will not sit and watch again. If they continue like this, we are ready to fight them till the end," Sonko declared through his spokesperson, Ben Mulwa.
He emphasized the need for prior planning and resettlement of affected families before conducting demolitions.
"We support the ongoing efforts to transform Nairobi, but everything must be done within the law," Sonko stated.
However, NMS Director of Communications, Tony Mbarine, distanced the organization from the incident, attributing the death to an accident and denying any involvement in forceful evictions.
"The man was bringing down his own structure when he had the accident. NMS was not involved, and we have not had any forceful evictions in Mukuru," Mbarine stated.
Mukuru kwa Reuben MCA Evans Otiso disputed Mbarine's account, stating that the man was killed while trying to salvage his property from a collapsing building.
Those injured in the incident were admitted to Kenyatta National Hospital, while the body of the victim was taken to City Mortuary.
