Residents of Laini Saba village in Kibera are protesting over the demolition of their houses allegedly by the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA).
The demolition is to open up space for construction of a road in the area.
Some residents claim that the demolition which started on Wednesday has gone beyond the demarcation that had been set for the road. Others have criticised the committee in charge for what they claim as being biased in regard to the structures being brought down.
"We are not against the construction of the road but what has aggrieved us is the manner in which the committee in charge of this process is handling the demolition of structures. This road is supposed to accommodate two lanes for vehicles but they have decided to open it even wider to four lanes as if it is a superhighway. This has affected even those whose houses were not meant to be brought down," said Mariam Mohamed, a resident whose house is among those demolished.
According to Ali Mohamed, a resident, the demolition is biased as it allegedly favours the senior people living in that area.
"This demolition is not fair because if you look at the other side of this road, they have just interfered with few houses like two feet just because that side belongs to the family of an MCA. For our case, they have decided to destroy even structures that were not marked," expressed Mohamed.
However according to committee overseeing the process, demolition is done according to the plan and the notice that was issued one year ago.
"I believe there is no corruption in this process; this is not the first road we are constructing in Kibera. If one knows that their houses have encroached into the roads, it should be demolished as directed so that we develop this road for the benefit of the entire public," said Jeconiah Anyango, chairman of Kibera Roads Committee.
The area assistant chief Cleophas Ombati has reiterated that the residents who are not satisfied with the construction of the road should have filed complaints within the one year grace period that was given to them to relocate.
"All this was planned one year ago and no one has since complained. It is good that most people have decided to demolish their own structures instead of waiting for forceful eviction," said Ombati.