Victims of the continuing Mukuru Kwa Njenga demolitions are now requesting compensation, claiming that the demolitions have left them jobless, homeless, and without a source of income.
The demolitions were carried out to make room for the Nairobi Express Way’s construction.
Te residents added that the government damaged homes and businesses and that they have gotten no compensation yet.
"It is enshrined in law that if you evict someone who has occupied a specific location for a specific period of time, you must recompense them… We've been in the Mukuru slums for over 20 years; how do we rebuild our lives now that they've destroyed everything?" One Osoti wondered.
The Kenya Human Rights Commission said the demolitions were illegal and the government should be made accountable.
"The government is illegally conducting mass evictions & destroying property in Mukuru kwa Njenga settlement without due notice & meaningful housing alternatives for the residents. Demolitions & forced evictions are a form of violence & a gross violation of the right to housing."
The development of the Catherine Ndereba Road, according to Nairobi Regional Commissioner James Kianda, will connect the Nairobi Expressway with the Industrial Area from Kobil Mombasa Road, benefiting city inhabitants.
"At a connecting road being built around City Cabanas junction, this route will serve as an exit from the Expressway." Businesses along the route, such as Jua Kali, are likely to take up," Kianda added.
"Plans were in the works to begin construction on the railway station, but we realized it would be useless because it couldn't be reached." Residents will, however, be able to access services such as schools and hospitals thanks to the road," he added.
