This archive report was first published on 2 October 2021.
On October 2, 2021, thousands of residents from Deep Sea slums in Westlands, Nairobi, were left homeless after their structures were demolished to pave way for the construction of a new road.
The demolitions, which affected approximately 25,000 people, were part of the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) project to construct 6th Parklands Avenue Road.
According to Nairobi regional commissioner James Kianda, affected residents had received Sh5,000 as compensation, but many claimed they had not been adequately compensated.
‘We have had a number of engagements with the community. Over 734 people who had encroached on the road reserve agreed to vacate voluntarily after they were compensated,’ said Kianda.
However, many residents felt that they had been unfairly targeted, and that the demolitions were a heavy-handed approach to clearing the road corridor.
The project, which is part of the JICA Master Plan for Nairobi, aims to upgrade roads in Nairobi's informal settlements, including the Deep Sea slums.
The first phase of the project, which has been completed at a cost of Sh4 billion, will also link Ngong Road and Thika Road.
