This archive report was first published on 17 July 2019.
On July 17, 2019, Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko defended the forceful eviction of over 50 families from their homes in Pangani, citing the need for development.
According to Sonko, the tenants had been offered Ksh. 600,000 to relocate to other areas, paving the way for the construction of 1588 new housing units.
However, Sonko claimed that those who were evicted on Monday night were individuals who had pocketed the county's cash and refused to leave.
“Take your NONSENSE to hell. Those not paid are the ones who refused to take the money, and we are not going to pay them. Let them go to court. We shall not allow development plans to be politicised,” said Sonko.
He also stated that the affordable housing project was supposed to start in 2016 but was delayed due to bad leadership and politics.
