KAYOLE: National Police Explains Nyama Villa Demolitions Following Uproar

KAYOLE: National Police Explains Nyama Villa Demolitions Following Uproar

The National Police Service has made a statement regarding the demolitions of the Nyama Villa Village development in Kayole, following widespread public protest.

Several households were left homeless on Monday, December 16, after excavators demolished several structures, including story buildings.

Wooiye Nyama Villa Mama alikatalia kwa Nyumba iskuwe Demolished! Sad😭 pic.twitter.com/KP3PTpMKox
— PropesaTV (@PropesaTV) December 16, 2024

Initially, the local community accused the authorities, with some complaining that the demolitions began at midnight.

However, the National Police Service, in a statement signed by NPS Spokesperson Resila Onyango, refuted the claims in a simple manner, stating that the demolitions were the result of a private struggle between private businesses.

According to the NPS, the case is being heard before the Environment and Lands Court and dates back to 2013.

PRESS STATEMENT: CLARIFICATION ON THE EVICTIONS IN NYAMAVILA ESTATE-KAYOLE IN NAIROBI pic.twitter.com/wZb5EdtSne
— National Police Service-Kenya (@NPSOfficial_KE) December 18, 2024

The plaintiff in this case is a private firm that sued over 20 people for occupying the controversial piece of land.

“The order dated May 13 2013 required the defendants, their agents, and or their servants who had defaulted to vacate the suit property, failure to which the individuals and structures would be removed from the suit property,” NPS said in a statement.

The occupants of the land in question are accused of failing to evacuate for years, and proper procedures were followed prior to demolition and subsequent eviction.

The NPS also reported that the precise location in Nyama Villa Village had 304 plots inhabited. Because the residents did not comply with a court ruling, they were required to leave the land.

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NPS refuted that the demolitions were carried out unlawfully at night, claiming that all proper procedures were followed and that the tenants were evicted during the daytime.

“After following due processes, the evictions were carried out in broad daylight from December 16 and ending on December 18,” the statement went on.

The NPS’s announcement comes just a day after the government distanced itself from the controversial demolitions in a statement issued by spokesperson Isaac Mwaura, who asked all parties concerned to promote open communication.

Meanwhile, some political heavyweights have chimed in on the ongoing demolitions, with Babu Owino taking the lead in denouncing the government.

#PressStatement
KHRC condemns the ongoing unlawful and arbitrary demolitions and evictions in Nyama Villa, Kayole, which have left hundreds of families homeless and subjected them to immense suffering. We demand that the authorities immediately cease these violations and respect… pic.twitter.com/1w8XB7gHwf
— KHRC (@thekhrc) December 18, 2024