Leaders in Mombasa have condemned the forced evictions and property destruction carried out by the police in Changamwe constituency despite a court order barring the demolition.
The weekend demolitions affected 200 families who found themselves homeless after bulldozers flattened the old house to pave way for an urban renewal housing project.
Critics warn that the evictions could displace tenants without adequate time to secure alternative housing, risking their children’s education, livelihoods, and social stability.
Those who addressed the press described the house demolitions and forced evictions as a serious violation of constitutional rights of the affected families.
The demolition with police supervision left affected families and communities in distress.
They condemned the manner in which the demolitions of the National Housing estate in Changamwe sub county was undertaken, despite the existence of court-issued stay orders protecting the tenants.
Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Sharif Nassir stated that his administration had not issued any demolition permit or approved any building plans for the housing project.
“The property rights of the people living here must be respected,” Nassir said, emphasizing that even resolutions passed by the Intergovernmental Summit chaired by the President clearly require county governments to be involved before any such project begins.
Governor Nassir also expressed disappointment with regional security officials, including County Commissioner Mohamed Noor and Coast Regional Police Commander Ali Nuno, for overseeing the demolitions in the middle of the night without consultation, despite the close working relationship they have maintained with the county government.
He condemned the national government for evicting the families without giving them an alternative place to resettle.
Consequently, the Mombasa County Government has announced that it will formally join the court case seeking to halt the project until all legal procedures are followed.
Mombasa Senator Mohamed Faki supported the Governor’s position, stating that the demolitions were carried out in defiance of a valid court order.
Faki said the leaders are supportive of the government’s Affordable Housing Programme and its objective of providing decent and affordable homes for Kenyans but said no development initiative should be implemented in a manner that undermines the rule of law and the rights of citizens.
He announced that once the Senate resumes its sittings Tuesday, he will table an adjournment motion to allow the House to debate the matter as one of urgent national importance.
Senator Faki, together with Likoni MP Mishi Mboko, outlined several critical infrastructures concerns they say have been ignored by those implementing the project.
“Mombasa is already facing a daily water deficit of 270,000 cubic litres. The project area currently receives only 30,000 cubic litres of water from Coast Water, a supply that is often insufficient. Adding thousands of housing units and sports facilities without a comprehensive water supply plan will trigger a severe water crisis,” Faki said.
He further noted that no investment had been made in collaboration with the county government to develop emergency infrastructure such as fire stations, warning that this could seriously hamper emergency response efforts in the event of a disaster.
The leaders also criticized the Sh7 billion project, arguing that it primarily benefitted outsiders while denying local Mombasa businesses opportunities to supply construction materials such as sand and ballast.
They called for immediate dialogue instead of the use of state force, saying the demolitions have left women and young children homeless.
They maintained that the land belongs to the County Government of Mombasa and that the interests of Mombasa residents must be given priority.
By Kevin Otieno
