This archive report was first published on 16 July 2019.
On July 16, 2019, Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko's administration sparked outrage with a surprise night eviction and demolition exercise at Pangani estate.
Esther Passaris, a Nairobi County Assembly member, was quick to condemn the move, saying it was unfair to children and women who were caught unprepared.
According to Passaris, the county government's actions were akin to those of thieves, who ambush their victims in the dead of night.
Baffled to hear that women and children slept in the cold because their houses were demolished in the middle of the night by institutions that are supposed to protect them. Even if cheques were issued, why go at night? The County Gov. shouldn't go against its people like thief! — Hon. Esther M Passaris (@EstherPassaris) July 16, 2019
Passaris was responding to reports that Sonko's administration had used 15 bulldozers accompanied by rowdy youths to carry out the evictions, leaving residents terrified.
