Wiper Party leader, Kalonzo Musyoka, Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti, and Mavoko MP Patrick Makau have reacted angrily to the ongoing demolitions in the controversial East Africa Portland Cement land in Athiriver, Machakos County.
The three leaders on Saturday also demanded an immediate stoppage of the demolitions and urged the concerned Government agencies to stop the eviction of the squatters from the said land on humanitarian grounds.
Governor Wavinya shed tears as she was condemning the unlawful demolition of houses that were descended by bulldozers on Friday at the ‘Aimi ma Lukenya’ settlement scheme in Mavoko Constituency and demolished them in full glare of owners. Wavinya furiously condemned the demolition, terming it State brutality and a serious affront to the rights of the affected people.
“It was shocking that Government security agencies proceeded with the demolitions of homes without issuing any notice to the affected people as the law requires. It is particularly disappointing that the process was unnecessarily rushed even though there were ongoing high-level discussions between me and President William Ruto on the matter. We cannot allow that,” she said while shedding tears as she addressed the audience, lamenting why President Ruto had forsaken the Akamba community in their hour of need.
Wavinya vowed to challenge the High Court ruling, saying the County Government was not involved in the litigation yet it was a key stakeholder in the ownership row.
“I have instructed our lawyers through the office of the County Attorney to have the orders striking out the suit reversed through an appeal. I have also instructed the office of the County Attorney to ensure that the County Government of Machakos is enjoined as an interested party in the suit,” Governor Wavinya said.
Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka criticized the court ruling on the dispute, terming it a serious miscarriage of justice.
“The judge was ordered by the executive to strike out the application that was before her but instead she struck out the entire case. That does not happen. That is a serious miscarriage of justice. We don’t understand where the orders for the demolitions came from,” said Kalonzo, arguing that a written notice must have been issued.
Kalonzo demanded that the demolitions be stopped forthwith. “What is happening must stop now. Land is devolved. When the lease for the East Africa Portland Cement ran out, the land reverted to Machakos County Government. You cannot therefore conduct any business on matters of land without involving the governor of Machakos,” said Kalonzo.
Mavoko Mp, Patrick Makau said that such inhumane acts are unacceptable telling President Ruto that the people of Machakos also pay taxes even if they are not shareholders. “Mr president just make me understand. What is affordable housing when hardworking Kenyans have built homes and business premises only for your government to demolish them within seconds? What’s the difference between Mavoko and Gaza today? Mr president this is unacceptable, I condemn it With the strongest words possible. Mavoko residents deserve better treatment from you. They may not be shareholders but they pay taxes,” Makau stated.
On October 9th, 2023, the Environment and Land Court in Machakos struck out a court case that had been filed by ‘Aimi ma Lukenya’, who have been laying claim on the prime land measuring 4,298 acres. In her ruling, Lady Justice A Nyukuri noted that Aimi Ma Lukenya had failed to serve their documents to the defendants as ordered by the court.
