Kibera: Thousands face eviction as govt issues 11-day notice

The government has given thousands of Kibera residents 11 days to move out of an area marked as a road reserve or be forcefully evicted to pave way for the construction of a major link road.

According to a memo signed by National Building Inspectorate secretary Moses Nyakiongora, those residing in the road reserve are hindering the construction of the Ngong Road – Kibera – Kungu Karumba – Langata link road.

“This is therefore to give public notice that these structures must be removed before July 16, 2018,” reads the memo.

“Upon the expiry of this notice, any structures or property found on the specified corridor will be demolished or removed from the road reserve at the trespassers’ risk and cost.”

Construction of the road was halted in 2016 by the High Court after residents of the slum went to court to challenge the looming demolitions to make way for the road.

Kibra Member of Parliament Ken Okoth has called on the government to ensure the affected residents are duly compensated following the eviction.

“I call upon the Cabinet Secretary in charge of roads to make sure the affected persons are relocated in a humane fashion and given fair compensation as per the Constitution of Kenya and the laws and guidelines on evictions and resettlement. The IDP Act 2012 is clear on the rights of citizens affected by development projects and the guidelines for compensation and resettlement, ” said Mr. Okoth.