Nairobi Governor Sakaja Johnson on Wednesday, May 21 morning intervened to stop the eviction of over 10,000 residents from Mukuru kwa Njenga, following a dispute with a private developer who claims ownership of the 100-acre parcel of land.

The developer, who had initiated preparations to evict the residents, asserts that the land is legally his. However, Governor Sakaja arrived at the scene just as the eviction was set to begin and called for an immediate halt to the operation.

“These are over 10,000 people with families. We must have a dialogue on this matter and come to an amicable solution. It is inhumane to evict them without providing an alternative place to go,. We are the government — both county and national — and we can facilitate a solution where both parties win,” Sakaja reiterated.

Many of the affected residents, who have built semi-permanent homes in the area, expressed distress, saying Mukuru is the only home they’ve ever known.

“Hapa ndiyo hope. Hatujapewa notice, hakuna mahali pa kwenda, na maisha ni ngumu,” said one resident, lamenting the sudden threat of displacement.

Governor Sakaja assured the residents that both levels of government would address their plight and work towards a humane resolution.

In a related move, the Governor also stopped planned demolitions in the Jada Kanguruwe area of Kamarock, where the Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) had sought to evict around 1,000 residents. He urged KPLC to engage the community in dialogue before taking any further action.

“Temporarily, we have stopped the eviction and encouraged dialogue between the two parties. That way, we can reach an amicable solution,” Sakaja stated.

The residents of the two areas can now breathe a sigh of relief as the Government is facilitating dialogue.