Residents of Woodley Estate, a vibrant neighbourhood in Nairobi, are grappling with the impending threat of eviction after the Court of Appeal upheld a ruling favouring the Nairobi County Government in a long-standing land dispute. The ruling, delivered on November 8, 2024, allows the government to proceed with plans to redevelop the estate, which has been home to over 2,000 families for decades.
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) successfully argued that the title deeds held by private developer Paul Moses Ng’ethe were acquired fraudulently. This decision has sent shockwaves through the community, with many residents expressing deep distress. Reports indicate that at least seven individuals have died from stress-related complications linked to the sudden eviction notices.
The Woodley Residents Welfare Society (WRWS), representing the affected families, has vehemently opposed the eviction, claiming that they were not adequately consulted about the redevelopment project. Many residents assert that they have lived in Woodley for generations and have invested their lives in building a community that now faces disintegration. “We feel betrayed,” said Esther Wambui, a long-time resident and member of WRWS. “We were promised our homes would be secure, and now we are being told to leave without proper compensation or alternatives.”
The redevelopment plan aims to construct 1,900 modern housing units, but it has been marred by allegations of corruption and mismanagement. Residents have raised concerns about transparency in the compensation process, claiming that some families have received inadequate offers while others have been left out entirely. “We were never involved in any discussions about this project,” said John Mwangi, another resident. “It feels like our voices don’t matter.”
Governor Johnson Sakaja’s administration has stated that it is committed to improving housing conditions in Nairobi and has begun compensating some tenants as part of its redevelopment strategy. However, many residents remain sceptical about the government’s intentions and the fairness of the compensation process. Some have sought legal recourse to challenge the eviction notices and protect their homes.
As tensions rise, community leaders are calling for solidarity among residents to resist the evictions. “We must stand together,” urged WRWS chairperson Grace Ndung’u during a recent community meeting. “This is not just about houses; it’s about our right to live where we choose and to have a say in what happens in our neighbourhood.”
The situation continues to evolve as legal battles persist and community members organise protests against the evictions. With their homes at stake and their futures uncertain, Woodley residents are determined to fight for their rights and preserve their community heritage amid a backdrop of political and economic challenges.
As the deadline for eviction notices looms closer, many families are left wondering what their next steps will be. The outcome of this contentious dispute could set a precedent for similar cases across Nairobi and beyond, highlighting the ongoing struggle between urban development and community rights in Kenya’s rapidly changing landscape.