The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
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Raila Odinga, leader of the Azimio coalition, has called on the government to cease the forceful eviction and demolition of settlements on disputed lands.
In a statement, Raila emphasized the immediate cessation of ongoing demolitions in Voi and other parts of the country. He reminded the government of its commitment to provide sufficient notice and prompt compensation to affected individuals, a promise made during his election campaign.
Raila appealed to humanitarian organizations and human rights bodies to intervene, ensuring that the people of Voi have access to basic needs and can seek justice. He highlighted the challenging times, pressing needs, and harsh weather, emphasizing that losing a home at the hands of the government should not add to the burdens faced by Kenyans in the New Year.
The Azimio leader expressed concern that the current administration appears to favor forceful evictions and demolitions as the primary approach to resolving land disputes. From Mavoko to Kakamega, Thika, Mombasa, and now in Voi, Raila observed a pattern of the government evicting people from their settlements, inflicting pain during desperate moments.
According to Raila, in a recent incident in Voi, a police contingent escorted a demolition squad that invaded the settlement of over 3,000 residents in Msambweni, bringing down numerous homes on disputed land. He mentioned that the community had previously requested compensation for land acquired by the Standard Gauge Railway, aiming to facilitate the purchase of alternative settlements.
