Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti was almost reduced to tears explaining how the demolition in Athi River was rushed.
Speaking on Saturday, October 14, Wavinya noted that the demolition was sanctioned despite negotiations with President William Ruto.
She also accused the government and East Africa Portland Cement land in Athi River of starting the demolition process without issuing vacation notices.
“It’s shocking that government security agencies proceeded with the demolitions of homes without issuing any notice to the affected people as the law requires.
It is partially disappointing that the process was unnecessarily rushed despite the fact that there were ongoing high-level discussions between the President and I on the matter,” Wavinya stated.
It’s shocking that government security agencies proceeded with the demolitions of homes without issuing any notice to the affected people as the law requires. It is partially disappointing that the process was unnecessarily rushed despite the fact that there were ongoing high -… pic.twitter.com/N6E6NrT14F
— Wavinya Ndeti Oduwole (@Wavinya_Ndeti) October 14, 2023
Ruto had also ordered squatters occupying part of East African Portland Cement land in Athi River to vacate on Friday, October 13.
Ruto also ordered the Lands Ministry to revoke titles of land that have not been developed in Athi River for over 10 years.
“I have given clear instructions to the management here that all speculators, people who have held titles to pieces of land for 10 to 30 years without developing them be revoked so that we can give it to people who want to use this facility,” Ruto stated.
His sentiments came after East Africa Portland Cement won a legal dispute to evict squatters from 1,740 hectares of land in Machakos County after claimants failed to produce documents to prove ownership.
However, the affected residents pleaded with the Head of State to halt the process to allow them to rescue their properties and find alternative settlement areas.
