This archive report was first published on 18 September 2019.
On September 18, 2019, the Government evicted at least 1,000 families from the stalled Itare Dam site in Nakuru County, destroying their structures and leaving them homeless.
The dam, valued at Sh30 billion, had stalled after the contractor, CMC Deravena, filed for bankruptcy in Italy in December 2018.
Armed police officers descended on an IDP camp on the site, pulling down structures constructed using polythene bags, sticks, and canvas.
According to Simeon Cheruiyot, one of those affected, the officers arrived at around 6:30am and ordered them to remove their belongings before starting to demolish makeshift houses.
"The officers asked us to collect what was relevant from our makeshift houses and leave as they wanted to demolish the camp," Cheruiyot said.
He added that the officers informed them that the National Environment Management Authority (Nema) did not want to see the polythene bags used to make the makeshift houses.
However, Cheruiyot said no notice asking them to either use other materials in making the makeshift homes or vacate the camp had been issued.
"We were shocked," he said.
Nakuru County Commissioner Erastus Mbui said his office was aware of the forceful eviction, but claimed that the families had been given notice to vacate the land.
