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Kenya: Gang Demolishes Structures Over Land Controversy
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The East African Standard (Nairobi)
10 May 2008
Posted to the web 9 May 2008
James Ratemo
Nairobi
Thousands of people were left homeless when property worthy millions of shillings were destroyed in Nairobi's Kangemi estate.
Hired gang, guarded by police, descended on the village at 8am with machetes and clubs and started demolishing the buildings and harassing the occupants.
The demolition of the structures, allegedly erected on a private land, leaves over 300 pupils without a school.
However, the affected residents decry that they were not given evacuation notice from the land they claim belongs to the Government.
"This is just but another grabber I have lived here for the last seven years after I was evicted from Molo due to tribal clashes. I was given this land by the then area chief and District Officer," said a tearful Julia Waithere whose house was grounded.
In retaliation, the residents took to the streets, blocked the busy Waiyaki Way until anti-riot police were called to contain the situation. Police engaged the enraged residents in hours of running battles.
Cardinal Otunga preparatory, Sweet Angels, Welcome Nursery and Universal Preparatory schools were totally destroyed.
In an interview with The Saturday Standard, Imelda Wambalala, the administrator and head teacher of Cardinal Otunga Preparatory school, like all others, claimed she was ambushed without.
Affected churches include Jordan PAG, Holy Rosary, Universal, Shunem Christian Fellowship, Salvation Army, Cornerstone Pentecostal and Pentecostal Christian Fellowship.
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The land in question has been shrouded in controversy for over ten years now.
Initially, it belonged to Kenya Railways but was later given to the University of Nairobi's Kabete Campus and Kenya Agricultural Research Institute. It is not clear when and how the land changed hands to a private developer.
A police source said the order had come from above and there was nothing they could do.
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