Tension gripped Mukuru kwa Njenga on Tuesday morning after running battles erupted between residents and police officers over demolitions linked to an alleged road expansion, forcing Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja to personally step in.
For hours, Embakasi South descended into chaos as bulldozers moved in to flatten structures within the densely populated slum, triggering fierce resistance from locals who accused authorities of attempting to evict them without notice, consultation, or compensation.
Witnesses reported a heavy police presence early in the morning, with dozens of hooded officers assembling at Villa Police Station before moving into the area, a clear indication that authorities were anticipating unrest.
By mid-morning, the situation had escalated into confrontations, prompting Governor Sakaja to rush to the scene alongside Embakasi South MP Julius Mawathe in a dramatic intervention that immediately stopped the demolitions.
Sakaja Codemns Mukuru Kwa Njenga Demolitions
Addressing angry Mukuru Kwa Njenga residents, Sakaja strongly condemned the demolitions, distancing Nairobi County from the controversial road works and blaming “unknown elements” for bypassing county procedures.
“No agency can purport to do work that belongs to the county without sign-off from the county government. We will not have that in Nairobi,” Sakaja declared.
The governor questioned how a feeder road, clearly under county jurisdiction, could be marked for expansion without the knowledge of the county’s planning committee, roads department, or the relevant County Executive Committee Member (CEC).
“Our planning committee is not aware, our roads chief officer is not aware, the CEC is not aware. Not even the President himself is aware,” he added.
Compensation Promised as County Apologises
In a rare public apology, Sakaja told residents the demolitions were “completely wrong” and assured those affected that compensation would be paid once proper consultations are conducted.
“The day we agree on access points, we will agree on compensation,” he said, revealing that the county had already compiled a list of affected residents.
He further raised serious questions after revealing that the institution responsible for the road had confirmed there was no need for additional road reserve, despite residents being forcefully removed from land they have occupied for decades.
MP Mawathe on Mukuru Demolitions
Backing the governor, Embakasi South MP Julius Mawathe dropped another bombshell, disclosing that consultations with the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) had ruled out any expansion of Catherine Ndereba Road.
“I was with KURA yesterday, and they said this is not their road. All authorities have confirmed there is no need for road expansion,” Mawathe stated.
Even more damning, the MP revealed that a court order is already in place stopping any expansion works, raising fresh concerns over who authorised the demolitions and why.
As calm slowly returned to Mukuru kwa Njenga, residents were left shaken, but defiant, demanding accountability for what they term as an illegal, traumatising exercise carried out under the watch of armed police.
With the county government disowning the project, KURA denying involvement, and a court order already in force, the Mukuru demolitions have now opened a new political and legal storm, one that could expose shadowy dealings behind Nairobi’s infrastructure projects.
