Azimio la Umoja – One Kenya leader Raila Odinga has reprehended the recent demolitions witnessed in Kakamega’s Milimani area.
Houses worth millions were demolished to pave way for the government’s affordable housing project.
Speaking during an Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) recruitment exercise held in Kakamega today, Friday, December 1, 2023, Raila strongly criticized the government over the decision noting that there was no public participation in the matter.
While criticizing the move, Raila went on to state that the land belonged to the people and not the government. He also opined that it was distasteful that the demolitions happened under the same administration that promised to be pro-people.
“It is terrible that it is happening under the administration of a government which came to power promising the people that it is going to be pro-people,” Raila said.
“We condemn in the strongest possible terms this act by the national government to destroy people’s houses under the guise of building affordable housing,” he added.
The ODM leader also took issue with the regional commissioner for issuing the demolition orders terming the move unconstitutional.
“The provincial administration went with the previous constitution, the new constitution has no provision of a new administration. This nefarious act which they brought in to try to bring the government down to the counties. These are relics of colonialism and we will go to court to declare this provincial administration unconstitutional. A county Commissioner has no power to interfere with the government,” he stated.
Further, the former prime minister stated that the government must compensate those affected by the demolitions.
“The government must compensate the people whose property has been destroyed,” Raila added.
