Kenya's government has initiated the demolition of homes constructed in flood-prone regions following a deadline for evacuation amidst ongoing fatal rains. The capital city, Nairobi, witnessed the forceful removal of residences, with a bulldozer tearing down iron-sheet walls as residents looked on in distress. Security personnel, armed with guns and batons, were present, resorting to tear gas in some instances to enforce the evacuation.
Last week, the government issued evacuation notices to thousands of individuals residing near rivers, dams, and other flood-susceptible zones as the relentless heavy rains have resulted in the loss of 238 lives in recent weeks. Despite the government's claims of providing relocation options, many affected individuals express uncertainty about their next steps.
Human Rights Watch has criticized the government for its perceived inadequate response to the crisis. Displaced residents are left grappling with the dilemma of finding alternative shelter. One affected individual lamented, 'Now what are we going to do? We love our president, and that is why we supported him. He should come to our aid.'
President William Ruto, during a visit to the Mathare informal settlement along the Nairobi River, announced a compensation package of 10,000 Kenyan shillings ($75) for those whose homes were demolished to facilitate their resettlement.
Tragically, three individuals, including two children, lost their lives in Mathare due to incidents involving bulldozers during the demolitions. Opposition leader Raila Odinga cautioned the government against further demolitions without a comprehensive resettlement strategy in place.
The flooding crisis in Kenya has affected approximately 235,000 people, with a majority seeking refuge in camps. Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki reiterated an evacuation directive for 200 families in the Kijabe area, located an hour's drive from Nairobi, following a devastating incident where around 60 individuals perished and houses were swept away due to a breached railway tunnel.
The government's evacuation order was prompted by this calamity, although the exact number of demolished homes across Kenya remains undisclosed. Additionally, the Cabinet disclosed that water levels in the country's major hydroelectric dams, Masinga and Kiambere, have surged to unprecedented levels, prompting warnings for residents downstream along the Tana River to vacate the area.
