Residents of Mashimoni in Mathare demolish own homes after govt threat

Along the Mathare River in the Mashimoni area of Mabitini Ward in Mathare Sub-county, groups of youths gathered on Tuesday to dismantle the structures they once called homes and business premises.

A site visit by The Eastleigh Voice found them busy, armed with tools such as hammers, pliers, and axes. One group of around five youths tore down marked houses and shops and demolished walls.

Youths in the Mashimoni area of Mabitini Ward in Mathare Sub-county, Nairobi, demolish their own homes and businesses along the Mathare River on May 21, 2024. (Photo: Maureen Kinyanjui)

These actions followed Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki's May 3, 2024, directive for the demolition of structures and buildings illegally constructed along riparian land near Nairobi rivers. It has affected people within 30 metres of the Ngong, Mathare, and Nairobi rivers.

The order was among the government's interventions to prevent more deaths and destruction from heavy rain and the resultant flash floods.

“Our structures were marked for demolition, and we know the excavator is nearby. We better demolish them ourselves because that allows us to collect materials that can be reused," Kevin Otieno told The Eastleigh Voice.

Roseline Atieno, a resident of the Mashimoni area of Mabitini Ward in Mathare Sub-county, Nairobi, is pictured on May 21, 2024, as residents demolish homes and businesses along the Mathare River. (Photo: Maureen Kinyanjui)

Roseline Atieno said that her house was not marked for demolition but that she opted to walk around to find out if the excavator would reach her.

“My house is a bit far from the river, but with the government, you are never sure if you will be told to vacate," she said.

Youths in Mashimoni, Mabatini ward in Mathare sub county, demolish structures along Mathare River today in the ongoing demolitions of structures pic.twitter.com/gePH3L0Us1

— The Eastleigh Voice (@Eastleighvoice) May 21, 2024

Another group searched through debris and salvaged items including wood, metal, and household goods, also for reuse or sale, while another collected and moved them to other locations.

Standing on the Mathare River bank, Jim Makori blamed the government for failing to act before tragedy struck with the onset of the March-May long rain season.

“We know we are not supposed to be here, but the government could have acted earlier, giving us ample time to find alternative accommodation. We are doing everything in a hurry, and there is nowhere to go,” he said.

A partly demolished African Divine Church is pictured in the Mashimoni area of Mabitini Ward in Mathare Sub-county, Nairobi, on May 21, 2024. (Photo: Maureen Kinyanjui)

Churches were also not spared, as the Muhubiri Assembly of the African Divine Church was partly demolished.

Another church nearby, the Mashimoni Pentecostal Assemblies of God, had a demolition mark on one of its walls.

Inside the church were plastic chairs and speakers, perhaps a sign that the owners were hopeful they would be unaffected by the demolitions.