Makongeni residents protest planned demolitions under affordable housing project

A planned demolition of houses and business structures in Makongeni and adjacent estates in Nairobi this month, under the Affordable Housing Project, has sparked anxiety and anger among residents.

Residents and traders in the area have protested the plans, citing several reasons why the exercise should not proceed despite the government’s ambitious goal of building a modern housing scheme.

In a letter seen by The Eastleigh Voice denouncing the demolition scheduled for November 27, Geofrey Odhiambo Liech, who represents the Makongeni Business Community, called for protests against the move.

He addressed the Principal Secretary in the State Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Chief Executive Officer of the Affordable Housing Board, urging them to reconsider the decision, warning it would have catastrophic effects if executed.

Liech said they were abruptly informed that they must vacate their business premises by November 27, 2025, to pave the way for the Makongeni Affordable Housing Project.

Among the issues raised is compensation. “Some members of the business community have not been factored in for compensation. Further, the proposed Sh150,000, the same amount being offered to residents, is grossly insufficient. Businesses are more valuable than residences, and the cost of moving them must be considered,” noted Liech.

He added that some businesses occupy strategic locations whose value cannot be recovered if relocated. He also criticised the policy that a person owning both a residence and a business cannot be compensated separately, calling it unfair and oppressive.

Liech further argued that residents were served with insufficient notice to vacate and were not involved in the planning of the new project.

Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has also warned that families risk displacement under the initiative.

In his view, the planned demolitions target homes in Makongeni (Makadara constituency), Jericho, Maringo, Bahati, Shauri Moyo, and Kaloleni, areas where families have lived for decades.

“These are permanent homes that have served families for generations. The government cannot simply demolish them and expect to compensate residents with only Sh150,000 per house,” Owino said.

He questioned how the proposed compensation would sustain households, adding, “How can that support a family of three to five people? Where will the other members go?”

Owino strongly criticised plans to relocate affected residents to affordable housing units, noting that many existing projects, such as those in Mukuru, are priced at Sh2 million or more, far beyond the reach of low‑income earners.

“How will a person earning a few hundred shillings a day ever afford these houses?” he asked, highlighting a mismatch between policy and the realities of Nairobi’s urban poor.

The MP urged authorities to allocate and register new houses before demolishing existing homes. “If you have built houses at Mukuru, give them to these residents first and provide titles before deciding to relocate them,” he said.

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He suggested alternative solutions, including using a 10‑acre vacant plot in Makadara constituency to build new housing rather than demolishing established homes, stressing that urban planning should not come at the expense of vulnerable residents.

Owino urged residents to defend their property rights and pledged to consider legal action to stop the demolitions.

“You must stand up for your rights. We will go to court if necessary to prevent this act,” he said, appealing to community leaders to advocate for residents and safeguard their interests.