March 19, 2024

Give us an alternative land before eviction, residents demand

Bahati Estate Tenants in Changamwe sub county following through a public session early this week. The tenants risk being evicted from the estate to pave way for the expansion of the Mombasa Nairobi highway. Image Peter Kombe

BY PETER KOMBE

Bahati Estate residents in Changamwe, Mombasa County want the government to provide an alternative relocation before evicting them from the estate.

The tenants risk being forcefully evicted from the estate to pave way for the expansion of the Mombasa Nairobi highway.

The tenants have up to December 22 to vacate the area.

According to the tenants each tenant will be compensated a total of ksh 46,000.

In a media briefing at Bahati estate in Changamwe sub county early this week Josephine Keno, a tenant said the initiative is aimed at infringing on their rights.

She said “We have been renovating the houses at our own cost. Some of the tenants from the other side of the highway were compensated by government.

The tenant says she has resided in the estate for the past 42 years.

Haki Yetu Organisation human rights activist Paul Obonyo urged the government to look for an alternative way of relocating the tenants.

He says constitutionally all Kenyans are entitled to better housing and shelter.

“The tenants have been given a one month notice to vacate. But one we are looking at how they will be relocated to another area” John Paul said.

The activist further wants the government to review the compensation model for the tenants.

Meanwhile, Muslim for Human Rights chairperson Khelef Khalifa called on the office of the senator to file a court injunction to stop the eviction notice.

He petitioned the government to look for an alternative solution including building a new residential estate.

“Let no one deceive you the government cannot wake up and evict you. Power is in the people. We have the constitution that guides us” Khelef noted.

He vowed to go to court as an interested party to seek for a court injunction to stop the eviction.

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