Kisumu County Director of Communication Aloyce Ager has said the county government has no hand in the ongoing demolitions.
In an exclusive interview with Kisumu-based Sky FM on Wednesday morning, Ager stated that it is the Kenya Railways company that is bringing down buildings sitting on its land and not the Nyong’o’s government.
“We have got no hand in the ongoing demolition,” said Ager.
He also noted that the demolitions are in a bid to pave way for the Kisumu port construction, adding that the county government is already taking care of the affected individuals.
“We have erected stalls for the affected business operators within the town and those at the shores of the lake have been relocated to Dunga area,” he noted.
The county communication boss, however, blamed the cartels for grabbing land and tapping cash from locals unlawfully.
“Some cartels even own the pavements but all who acquired land unlawfully are now dealt with and will not be compensated,” he added.
Ager also confirmed that demolition will affect Bandani area as the market sits on Kenya Railways land, adding that Kisumu Jua Kali area will remain untouched as it is not clear who owns the parcel of land.
There has been confusion regarding who is behind the ongoing operation, with many pointing an accusing finger on the county government and some at the Kenya Ports Authority and Kenya Railways.
Business operators along the lake shores such as Lwang’ni Beach, Railways, Winmart, behind Nairobi University Kisumu campus and former Akamba bus station were all affected by the ongoing demolition.