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Over 5,000 families evicted in Mariguini to pave way for Affordable Housing
Residents of Mariguini in South B salvage household items from the rubble of their demolished homes on January 13, 2026.
Following the successful demolition of the old estate in Makongeni, the government has shifted its focus to Mariguini village in South B, intending to clear the area for an Affordable Housing Project.
By Tuesday, more than 5,000 families had been forced out of their homes after goons allegedly threatened to attack them and demolish their houses if they failed to vacate.
The evictions come even as residents who participated in the enumeration exercise began receiving Sh30,000 as facilitation.
A man rests in the rubble of houses in Mariguini in South B, Nairobi, on January 13, 2026. The houses were demolished to pave the way for an Affordable Housing Project.
For Mary Mbone Seneka, Mariguini had been home for more than 30 years and she now has nowhere else to go following the demolition of her house.
For the past two days, she has been sleeping outside, with no assistance.
“I don’t know where to go. They demolished my house and I have been left with nothing,” Ms Seneka said.
Purity Wairimu, a community health promoter in the village, was also affected by the demolitions, which displaced patients she had been assigned to care for.
“What the government has done is very wrong. They should have given us more time to move out and to account for patients, some of whom are elderly and are now sleeping in the cold because they have nowhere else to go,” Ms Wairimu said.
Angered by the manner in which residents were displaced, she criticised local leaders, accusing them of abandoning the community.
“I am pained because they did not give us time to move our patients. They should have informed us so we could mobilise a team to evacuate the elderly. I don’t understand why there is such a hurry with this slum-upgrading programme,” she added.
Residents of Mariguini in South B salvage household items from the rubble of their demolished homes on January 13, 2026.
Some residents said the timing of the evictions was wrong, noting that they had already spent their limited funds on school fees and rent.
“They gave us Sh30,000, which is very little. That money is unjust, and after paying school fees we are now forced to look for alternative housing with our children,” said Mary Wanza.
The residents’ advocate said the evictions violated a court order that directed the government to first address compensation before asking residents to vacate.
He said the matter will be mentioned in court on January 28 to give directions on how residents should be compensated without discrimination.
“The court is yet to determine what amount is sufficient to compensate people who have lived on this land for over two decades,” he said.
Residents of Mariguini in South B salvage household items from the rubble of their demolished homes on January 13, 2026.
However, Nairobi South MCA Waithera Chege defended the project, saying the affordable housing development is expected to commence early next year.
She urged residents who had received facilitation to relocate as agreed and asked those who had not yet been paid to remain patient.
“What is being paid is facilitation. During public participation, residents of Mariguini requested assistance to help them transport their belongings to where they were relocating. This is transport facilitation, not compensation,” Ms Chege said.
Evelyn Oside wails as she recounts her losses after an overnight demolition destroyed the home she had lived in for more than 16 years in Mariguini, South B, on January 13, 2026.
She dismissed claims by some residents that they were excluded from the enumeration process, accusing them of masquerading as Mariguini residents and insisting the land belongs to the government.
The MCA said the relocation process began several years ago and that all identified residents were issued with identification cards now being used to disburse the facilitation funds.
“The facilitation is paid only to those who were enumerated and issued cards. We are facilitating over 4,000 residents,” she said.
Ms Chege said she fully supports the project, adding that the slum-upgrading programme will improve living standards and enhance the state of the city.
Jane Wanja, who has lived in Mariguini for 40 years, said she received facilitation and relocated after receiving notice to vacate.
“We are waiting for the government to start the project. However, the money we received is too little. We are asking the government to increase the facilitation because we have children and other bills,” she said.
Another resident, Jane Wanjiru, said the slum-upgrading programme, which began before President William Ruto came to power, brings hope to women and children who have endured poor health conditions and insecurity in informal settlements.
“The project is good and we want the government to continue with it so that we can move from slums to modern houses,” Ms Wanjiru said.
