Raila Odinga, the leader of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), was denied access to the Portland Demolitions Site on Tuesday.
The officer in charge of the demolitions argued in a video that Raila and his team would disrupt the ongoing process.
The former prime minister was told to come back the following week.
“We are not doing anything wrong. We are doing what needs to be done, and that is returning this land back to the public,” the officer stood his ground.
“You can continue to conduct your meeting elsewhere and meet people elsewhere but not here.”
The ODM leader insisted on entering the site, blaming the government for the current demolitions, which have displaced hundreds of Kenyans.
“Allow us to pass as we want to see what’s going on,” he stated.
“We will not allow because we know what you want to do,” the officer responded, stating that he would not allow them to gain access until the clearing process is completed.
Raila was accompanied by Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, Machakos governor Wavinya Ndeti, Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, and Kilifi Senator Stewart Madzayo, among others.
Following the altercation, a contingent of officers escorted the political leaders away from the scene.
Raila then addressed the press, accusing President Ruto’s administration of failing to uphold Kenyans’ rights.
He wondered why the demolitions targeted poor families who are now left to fend for themselves on the streets without basic shelter.
“What is going on here is forced eviction, the exact crime Ruto promised to bring to an end in July last year. It is a gross violation of human rights; the right to adequate housing at a time the administration purports to be working to ensure that everyone has shelter,” Raila noted.
“What is going on here indicate a systematic disregard of recognized human rights standards on the part of the State. The affected families, some among the poorest of the poor and the upcoming middle class, have not only witnessed lifelong savings demolished and crushed to ashes.”
He also questioned why the government could not resettle the victims through the Settlement Fund and instead chose to use force against Kenyans.
He urged the president to halt the demolitions and share with the country the immediate plans for compensating property destroyed.
“What is this great and urgent use of the land where demolition was done that so greatly overweighed people’s lives and savings. What is this urgent use that could not allow people time to move out by, say, next year? Are there personal interests riding on the guise of public interest?” he posed.
“Does the East African Portland Cement understand that there are things people can do to fight back and even end its existence as a company? We are talking about people who most likely used the company’s cement to construct houses only for those same houses to be destroyed in the name of the company?”
