Some residents have been rendered homeless after their houses were demolished in ongoing operations in Mavoko, Machakos county.
The demolitions targeted structures erected along riparian land in the Githunguri area, which authorities say had blocked natural water channels.
The exercise is being carried out by the Machakos County Government following recent flooding in the area.
Tala–Kangundo Municipality manager Justus Kitemo has been supervising the operation since it began a week ago.
Kitemo said the demolitions were aimed at clearing structures built along rivers and water channels to restore natural flow and protect residents from flooding risks.
He said the intervention by the administration of Governor Wavinya Ndeti followed public concern over repeated flooding in Utawala and Githunguri, where the demolitions are currently taking place.
“We have for the last week experienced serious flooding in Githunguri. Lives have been threatened,” Kitemo said.
He spoke to journalists during the demolitions along Silicon River on Wednesday.
Kitemo said county bulldozers were only targeting structures marked by surveyors as being on riparian land, insisting that no lawful properties were being affected.
“We have three rivers in Githunguri, including this one, Silicon. We are opening them up to ensure water flows downstream without obstruction,” he said.
Residents in the affected areas, however, expressed mixed reactions, with some left counting losses amounting to millions of shillings.
Some houses were completely demolished, while others lost perimeter walls, gates, sections of buildings and business structures.
Among those affected is Linda Kerubo, whose house was completely flattened by a bulldozer.
Kerubo said she lost the only home she had lived in for 12 years, a two-bedroom house on a 50 by 100 plot, along with her perimeter wall and gate.
She said the county government issued a one-day notice before the demolitions.
“My house was demolished last Friday after I was issued with a notice on Thursday. My plot used to flood, but it is not a river,” she said.
“I am homeless. I have lost everything. Some household items were even stolen during the demolitions. I cannot afford rent,” she added.
Kerubo, a single mother of one, said she lost her job in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic and now survives on casual work. She said she bought the plot for Sh900,000 and paid a further Sh100,000 for the transfer.
Another resident, Monica Atieno from Glory Court estate in Githunguri, said part of her perimeter wall was demolished while she was away.
The widow said only her children were at home when the demolition took place.
“I have lived here for 14 years. My perimeter wall has been demolished. I was away in the village when it happened,” she said.
Kitemo admitted that the notice period was short, as claimed by residents, but said the situation was an emergency due to the threat posed by flooding.
“Anything that threatens life is treated as an emergency. The rains continue, and that is why the notice was short,” he said.
Paul Otieno said he lost a car wash he had leased to six youths, which had been operating for five years. He said he was in hospital when the demolition took place.
Aveva Estate resident Francis Munyalo said residents had earlier written to the county government complaining about encroachment on riparian land, which triggered the current operation.
“We have lived here for 15 years. Whenever it rains, those living along the riparian area suffer severe flooding. We have raised concerns before,” he said.
He added that some residents had nearly lost elderly family members due to flooding caused by blocked waterways.
Kitemo maintained that all residents occupying riparian land must vacate before enforcement actions are completed.
