More than 300 families in Nyeri told to move from landslide-prone area

A picture showing reinforcement at landslide-prone Witemere in Nyeri Town on October 5,2015. The county government haas asked over 300,000 families to move to safer grounds. PHOTO | JOSEPH KANYI | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Kenya Power Company defended the electricity connection, saying it was done as part of a slum upgrading project.
  • Residents have however insisted that they will not vacate the area unless the county government offers them alternative land.

Nyeri Governor Nderitu Gachagua and the county commissioner have ordered more than 300 families to vacate an area prone to landslides.

The leaders also asked Kenya Power to disconnect electricity to Witemere.

Both the national and county governments have denied claims that the families were allocated the land legally.

“The government shall not watch as people die. We are going to evict those who refuse to obey today’s directive very soon,” said Nyeri County Commissioner Onesmus Musyoki.
Power disconnection

Mr Gachagua criticised the installation of electricity in the buildings at Witemere, terming it illegal and ordered the immediate disconnection of the power.

“The county government cannot allow the power connection to continue. We shall not encourage our people to settle in dangerous areas, especially with the oncoming El Niño rains,” he said.

However, Kenya Power Company defended the electricity connection, saying it was done as part of a slum upgrading project.

Residents have however insisted that they will not vacate the area unless the county government offers them alternative land to put up their houses.

“We shall only move if the governor gives us a new place to settle,” said Ms Angelica Wanjiru, a resident.

Other local residents complained of previous failed evictions by private property developers, who had threatened to have them removed.

“A while back, we were told to move since some people were claiming to be the legal owners of the land. The county government is now asking us to move due to the oncoming rains. We shall not move,” said Ms Mercy Njoki.

Residents unanimously asked the county government to allow their structures not to be demolished as they look for safer grounds but the county government did not agree with the proposal.

Mr Gachagua appointed acting special programmes committee boss Priscilla Wanyiri to oversee the eviction.