Blame game as Kisauni residents still in the cold after demolitions

Demolished: Kisauni MP Rashid Bedzimba (centre in cap) visiting his constituents after they spent a day in the cold after their houses were demolished by a private developer. He blamed the county government for failure to protect its people. Area police boss Julius Wanjohi said they were acting on a court order when they oversaw the demolitions. Governor Joho on his part blamed the national government for the demolitions. PHOTO/WINNIE ATIENO.

What you need to know:

  • Three people died and scores of others were injured during the demolitions.
  • Kisauni MP Rashid Bedzimba said the county government has failed to protect Kisauni residents against land grabbers.
  • Mr Bedzimba questioned how the people could be evicted without an eviction notice.
  • Area police boss Mr Julius Wanjohi said they were acting on a court order.
  • Governor Joho who also visited the residents after the demolitions condemned the act and warned the police against evicting people.
  • In the meantime the residents continue spending nights in the cold.

The Mombasa County government has been accused of failing to protect the residents from a private developer who demolished their houses in Kisauni Constituency.

Three people died and scores of others were injured during the demolitions.

Led by the Kisauni Member of Parliament Mr Rashid Bedzimba, the residents said the Mombasa county government had greatly failed them.

Mr Bedzimba said the county government has failed to protect Kisauni residents against land grabbers adding that county officials were aware the demolition was to take place.

PROTECT PEOPLE
“Truly speaking everyone has his own responsibilities. It is the responsibility of the county government to protect their people,” the MP said.

“What transpired is a true indication that the county government has failed and I am blaming them for laxity,” the MP added.

He urged the residents to be careful and assured the affected families that the national government would help them.

He said he had communicated with Deputy President William Ruto who had offered his assistance of foodstuffs and tents.

He said 40 houses were demolished affecting more than 1000 people including children who slept in the cold.

He added that the act was not done by the national government but by some greedy people who do not minds about the welfare of the people.

Mr Bedzimba questioned how the people could be evicted without an eviction notice.

COURT ORDER

However, area police boss Mr Julius Wanjohi said they were acting on a court order.

“Police have never evicted people. We give security and furthermore we are just following a court order,” said Mr Wanjohi.

Mombasa governor Ali Hassan Joho who also visited the residents after the demolitions condemned the act and warned the police against evicting people.

Governor Joho said land was an emotive issue in Kisauni which should be treated cautiously. He also asked the residents to always be vigilant and contact the leaders whenever they saw any bulldozer.

“We will find a way to help you get back to normal life. I have told the police to stop evicting people. I will stand by you through thick and thin and you will not vacate this land,” said the governor.

BLAMED NATIONAL GOVERNMENT

He at the same time took issue with the national government over the land issue.

“The government cannot give tittle deeds on the one hand and on the other hand evict people from their land. We want all people to be properly settled,” said Mr Joho.

In the meantime the residents continue spending nights in the cold.

“We are really suffering. We are wondering where the government is as we continue suffering in the cold together with our children.

Our property has also been destroyed. This is very unfair,” lamented Kaumbi Jefa.