Residents protest demolition of churches

Murang’a,

Sunday November 12, 2023

KNA by Bernard Munyao

Members of two churches backed by local residents have protested demolition of their houses of worship built on a piece of land earmarked for affordable housing programme in Makenji area, Murang’a county.

The contractor awarded tender to construct the affordable houses at the site, demolished the two churches Saturday sparking protests.

The leaders of the affected Bethewel and Israel Pentecost churches, blamed the contractor saying they were not issued with a prior notice to vacate the land.

They claimed to have legally acquired the land 30 years ago, saying the government could have considered providing them with an alternative land.

Some local residents are also claiming ownership of individuals plots on the controversial land, which they said were allocated to them way back in 1996 by the defunct county council of Maragua.

 “We are not opposed to construction of affordable houses, but let all the aggrieved parties be engaged first before the contract moves to the site,” said one of the local residents, Samuel Karanja.

He noted there was no need of demolishing the churches without involving members of the congregation, saying pushing people forcefully from the land may create hatred between the locals and government.

Another resident, Maria Wanjiru, observed that there was a need for a dialogue between the residents and the government so as to ensure rights of the residents are respected.

Wanjiru called upon the government to compensate for the property of the churches that were destroyed.

In a rejoinder, Governor Irungu Kang’ata through a press statement called for an amicable solution saying the demolition should stop until all parties agreed on the way forward.

“It has now come to the attention of the County Government that the contractor sent by the ministry of housing has demolished two churches at a land identified for construction of affordable housing at Makenji area, Muruka ward in Kandara.

“The County Government opposes this move and indicates it has alternative and unoccupied pieces of land elsewhere to grant the National Government for affordable housing,” read part of the press statement.

Kang’ata urged the Ministry of Housing and the occupants of the piece of land including the churches to commence dialogue to avoid destruction of property.

Courtesy ; KNA