A storm of uncertainty has descended upon the officers of Kamukunji Police Station and their families following a government directive to vacate their residential quarters by August 15, 2026, to pave the way for demolition, with the order contained in an internal memo seen by this publication leaving many stranded, facing homelessness in a city with a prohibitive cost of living, and struggling to plan for the upcoming school term while their pleas for financial relief go unheeded.
The directive, dated 17th July 2026, cites the government's approval for the demolition of the "old residential blocks" to facilitate the construction of new housing units, and while the development project promises improved living conditions in the long term, the immediate effects have sparked panic among the officers who have been given less than a month to secure alternative accommodation without any form of compensation or relocation assistance to cushion the transition.
"This is to inform all police officers currently residing in the old residential blocks within Kamukunji Police Station that the Government has approved the demolition of the existing housing units to pave the way for the construction of new residential blocks," reads the internal memo signed by the Officer Commanding Station at Kamukunji and addressed to all affected officers.
"All affected officers are directed to make the necessary arrangements to secure alternative accommodation for themselves and their families and to vacate the premises on or before 15th August 2026," the memo directs, while further advising officers to "remove all personal belongings and hand over the houses in good time to facilitate a smooth demolition process."
"No extensions beyond the stated deadline will be granted unless expressly authorized by the station command," the document warns, concluding that "your cooperation and adherence to this directive are highly appreciated as we undertake this important development project aimed at improving staff housing."
The officers have accepted the reality of the demolition and the need for development, but their appeal for a temporary suspension of the housing levy deductions for two or three months to allow them to reorganise their families and secure new homes remains unanswered, leaving them to confront the harsh financial burden of finding alternative accommodation in Nairobi while their payslips continue to reflect deductions for a house they will soon no longer occupy.
The absence of any compensation package or relocation allowance has compounded their desperation, and with school-going children to provide for and a rapidly approaching deadline, the officers of Kamukunji Police Station are now left counting days, wondering how to pay for deposits, advance rent, and school fees all at once while their payslips continue to reflect deductions for a house they will soon no longer occupy.
"Hello Cyprian. Please help us. Kamkunji Police Station is being demolished within a short notice, with no compensation. Officers are stranded with their families and do not know where to start, especially with school-going children. Please do not disclose my identity. Hata pesa ya housing ya rent bado inakatwa kwa payslip. Hawajasimamisha. Sio kwamba hatutaki kuhama, but wangesimamisha hiyo pesa then tupewe hata kama ni miezi mbili ama tatu tujipange."
