Provincial
Kibera upgrade plans hit a snag
Posted Wednesday, August 19 2009 at 23:38
In Summary
- Slum dwellers claim they must be paid for property rights before being moved
Plans to upgrade Kenya’s largest slum ran into a legal hurdle on Wednesday when some residents said their old structures should remain intact.
The 84 residents of Soweto East in Kibera said they were not fighting their relocation to better accommodation but were against the demolition of their structures before they were compensated.
Through lawyer Kibe Mungai, they told Lady Justice Abida Ali-Aroni that they had property rights to the structures and plots they occupy and would only leave if they were adequately compensated.
Railway reserve
The residents claim to own approximately 550 acres adjoining Kibera railway station reserve.
The government, through a notice dated August 14, gave the slum dwellers up to September 15 to vacate their structures.
The relocation was to kick off tomorrow after a ceremony expected to be witnessed by President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
Mr Mungai accused the government of disregarding residents’ interests such as land ownership.
“The applicants have a right to be given leases as this is not government land,” he said.
According to the lawyer, some of the residents — Nubians — were settled in the area by the government between 1960 and 1980.
Others, he said, were Mau Mau veterans and their descendants who were settled there after independence.
Mr Mungai emphasised that his clients were not against being moved to the new accommodation but the demolition of their old structures had to be stopped until consensus was reached.
Lady Justice Ali-Aroni certified the matter urgent and will make a ruling today.
-
Submitted by kentboy1989Posted August 21, 2009 08:32 AM
-
Submitted by jakager03
Since these folks are very keen on compensation, what would be the "value" of their shacks? maybe Kshs 100000 a unit? Give them the money and let them go buy or build houses somewhere else. There just have to be a law against building any more shacks anywhere within 50km of a major town or city. They will very soon realize the futility of their claims! With the govt building them alternative structures they are better placed to gain than the compensation they are demanding.
Posted August 20, 2009 10:55 PM -
Submitted by Frank2009
They put up illegal structures, create the largest slum in the world and ask to be compensated! For what? Let the government do its work of providing decent housing to Kenyans who have until now lived in the most squalid and inhuman conditions in these slums. The government should not be stopped from doing its work through ill-advised abuse of the court process.
Posted August 20, 2009 12:48 PM -
Submitted by businei1900
Free advice Mr PM, forget about the "popular" appraisal you seem to get from people who will never support you when you finally burn your hands. When dealing with issues to DO WITH LAND, forget about the power you have and talk to the communities involved for a lasting solution. YOu are totally exposed to line of fire over this and the persons that created most of the problems are hiding behind you. PLEASE WEAR HEAVY GLOVES WHEN HANDLING THESE MATTERS.
Posted August 20, 2009 12:41 PM -
Submitted by sikujamu
Obwakemwatugul, there's nothing like giving them alternative land. These guys can't afford to build proper hses for themselves and so we will not be solving any housing problems but moving the slums from where they currently are to a different area bringing them and the country back to square one. Aren't they the ones who have bn complaining about being ignored by the govt and living in degraded accomodations? Change is difficult but they need to.
Posted August 20, 2009 09:59 AM
RSS
To be honest, its a goood idea that these filthy houses be demolished whether there is a agreement or not after all trust me, these slums houses so many damn notorious criminals! we saw them during the ill-feared election!Now build some police station and provide lights in every corner! if you get compensated, move to a safe and decent place and stop complaining, period!!!