The Environment and Land Court has issued orders stopping the eviction of residents from Makongeni estate in Nairobi. This follows a petition by residents against the government's actions to clear the area for an affordable housing project. The court also mandated the restoration of water and electricity supplies.
The government's eviction drive in Makongeni estate began on Saturday and continued on Monday, affecting over 40,000 residents. Officials had directed occupants to leave by December 2 to make way for new affordable housing units. In response, Otieno Willis Evans Otieno filed a petition on behalf of several residents, challenging the evictions and the cutoff of essential services like water and electricity, which were used to pressure people to vacate.
The Environment and Land Court granted temporary conservatory orders, halting further evictions and demolitions until a full hearing. It also instructed the government to immediately restore water and electricity. Otieno Willis Evans Otieno described the ruling as "a victory for the people; a reminder that state power has limits and that the Constitution still speaks loudly for the vulnerable when the powerful overreach. Makongeni will not be erased. Not on our watch."
While more than 3,000 residents have received Ksh150,000 each for relocation, most others remain uncompensated, complicating their moves. The government has promised priority access to the new housing once built, allowing the community to rebuild.
The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) had previously called for a halt to the evictions, arguing they violated residents' rights. LSK President Faith Odhiambo emphasized that any evictions must follow global standards, including written notice and respect for dignity, life, and security, especially for vulnerable groups like women, children, and the elderly. The society threatened legal action if rights were not upheld.
This development underscores tensions between urban development goals and resident protections in Kenya's housing initiatives.