PS Hinga defends Makongeni demolitions, says majority of tenants were paid Sh150,000

The government has moved to justify the demolition of Makongeni Estate, saying most tenants have already received Sh150,000 in relocation compensation.

Principal Secretary Charles Hinga said the payouts, which followed extensive consultations, form part of Nairobi’s Eastlands regeneration programme. He added that residents would have first priority to purchase units in the new affordable housing project once construction is complete.

Speaking on Citizen TV on Tuesday, Hinga explained that Eastlands covers around 3,100 acres and was originally planned to accommodate 17,000 households.

He described the initial layout as inefficient, given Nairobi’s rising population. Of the 3,600 tenants affected by the demolitions, 3,300 have already been paid via M-Pesa, with remaining delays attributed to verification issues, such as mismatched identification numbers.

“Tenants in Makongeni were paid, but others who have sublet their houses did not inform their subtenants of the same. Legally, we have no obligation to the subtenants, but we have agreed they too will be paid the Sh150,000, which is equivalent to nine years’ worth of rent,” Hinga said.

He explained that the original relocation offer was Sh30,000, but negotiations raised the amount to Sh150,000.

“We entered into a very engaging conversation with the tenants. I don’t know whether you have ever heard of a situation where a tenant is asked to vacate and then you get paid to leave. Most of the time, the tenants pay the landlord. In this case, we agreed that we are going to pay the tenant to leave,” Hinga added.

Some residents have expressed challenges in starting afresh after living in Makongeni for decades.

Despite these concerns, the government insists that the redevelopment will provide long-term benefits, including access to affordable housing under the new scheme.

PS Hinga also addressed critics of the demolitions, saying they lacked a clear understanding of the process.

Notices were issued in December last year, and all negotiations were conducted transparently. “We entered into a very engaging conversation with the tenants,” he said, emphasising the deliberate nature of the exercise.

On Sunday, hundreds of residents were caught off guard as excavators, escorted by police, moved in to demolish old structures. Some residents who had not completed the five-day notice scrambled to save belongings.

Makadara MP George Aladwa defended the demolitions, noting that residents were compensated to make the relocation easier.

“We agreed that owners would be given Sh150,000 and cards enabling them to own bedsitters in the project. The Housing Board has been sending the money and issuing cards to the 4,500 registered people,” he said.

He added that the two-year project will include residential blocks, commercial spaces, schools, hospitals, green parks, and modern infrastructure.

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• PS Hinga defends Makongeni demolitions
• says majority of tenants were paid Sh150

Aladwa accused opponents of encouraging disruptions. “They are paying young people to block roads and cause disruptions. As the area MP, I would not have allowed the demolition if the process was not certified. I know I may lose some votes, but I am doing this for the people I represent. They will benefit once this project is complete,” he said.

Makongeni Estate, covering 139 hectares under the Kenya Railways Staff Retirement Benefits Scheme, is among Nairobi’s older estates. The redevelopment aims to modernise the area with residential, commercial, and civic facilities.