Teargas fired in Mukuru Kwa Njenga as residents clash with police over ongoing demolitions

Tension rose in Mukuru Kwa Njenga on Tuesday as police fired teargas to disperse residents protesting ongoing demolitions in the informal settlement.

The demolitions are part of a road expansion project, according to authorities.

The Mukuru Community Justice Centre had earlier said the evictions were being carried out “without notice or due process” despite existing court orders protecting residents from forced removal.

The group further alleged that police officers fired rubber bullets and used live ammunition to break up demonstrations in the densely populated area.

“These are forced evictions being conducted in total disregard of the law. People are being displaced with no warning, and those protesting are allegedly being met with excessive force,” the Centre said in a statement.

The organisation also called for an immediate halt to both the demolitions and what it termed police violence.

Residents blamed the authorities for ignoring their plight, saying that hundreds of families were at risk of homelessness.

The Mukuru Community Justice Centre demanded that the government respect court orders and follow lawful procedures, urging state agencies to ensure safety and dignity for affected families as the dispute continues.

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He said evictions, where unavoidable, must be conducted with dignity, consultation, and adequate notice.

Sakaja said the affected residents should first be engaged and informed about the reasons behind any planned eviction before implementation.

“We do all these roads by speaking to the people, not by using force,” he said.

The governor also raised concern over the heavy deployment of armed police officers in the informal settlement, saying it sent the wrong message and unnecessarily escalated tension.

“It is very unfortunate that we wake up to several agencies coming together to demolish houses without any notice or proper communication,” Sakaja said.

“People are being forced to run for their lives as bulldozers destroy homes that are still occupied. There is a clear process that must be followed, even when constructing access or feeder roads. We are not against development, but we are against inhumane and unlawful processes.”

He faulted the agencies behind the demolitions, saying they acted without notice, consultation, or coordination with the county government.

He said residents were forced to flee their homes as bulldozers moved in, leaving families terrified and uncertain about their future.

He urged road authorities and government agencies involved in infrastructure development to prioritise public participation, particularly in densely populated informal settlements such as Mukuru.

Sakaja said residents are usually willing to cooperate when properly engaged and informed about development projects such as access roads.

“They are not animals that you just come and evict at night. It is an unfortunate incident, and we have spoken to agencies involved in this,” he said.

The governor reminded public officials and security agencies of their duty to serve and protect citizens.

“Government officials should always remember they are there to serve the people even police are here to serve people not attack them people,” Sakaja said.

The governor emphasised that the Nairobi County Government was not aware of the operation and insisted that those behind it knew they were acting outside the law.

He added that neither the President nor the county had sanctioned the demolitions.