Among the hundreds of families that have been displaced in the Athi River area of the County, gospel musician Lady Bee is counting her losses after her beautiful residence was reduced to crumbs of cement.
The singer said she is relying on her faith after witnessing her 5-year investment crumble to nothing. Lady Bee revealed that she had made sacrifices to forego a comfortable life, to save and invest in having a place to call her own.
Adding to her distress, Lady Bee voiced her disappointment when some of her belongings were stolen within minutes after the demolition took place.
However, Lady Bee remains grateful to God for life, acknowledging that on Saturday she was in a potentially fatal scenario as the demolitions started. She highlighted that she did not get any prior notice.
“I can’t thank God enough for salvation because sato ningedie. But am here to testify that indeed the joy of the Lord is my strength. Watching helplessly my property go down is the most painful thing ever. My heart is so broken, why didn’t you give us a notice then?” she wrote in a post.
Lady Bee expressed her sympathy for her affected neighbours in Athi River, describing the situation that has been ongoing for 5 days as inhumane, insensitive, and heartbreaking.
“My condolences to all my neighbours at Athi River Mavoko County, what happened to us was so inhuman, insensitive, so devilish, so far I’ve never been broken like this,” she wrote on her social media.
The musician explained that she had been experiencing sleepless nights and heartache due to the situation.
The directive from President Ruto to the Ministry of Lands, ordering the revocation of titles for undeveloped lands in Athi River, was intended to spur economic growth.
However, many Kenyans have been left questioning the President’s decision-making due to the ensuing consequences.
Ruto expressed his frustration with land speculators in Athi River and called for their immediate removal and the transfer of the lands to the Export Processing Zone (EPZ).
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“To fellow Kenyans, affordable houses really? Revoke title really? I’ve seen my neighbours build wakisweat. Chuma sasa zinaenda kwa vipimo, mali imeibiwa yote but haina mambo, the God who saved me will answer very soon,” Lady Bee said.
The ongoing demolitions have been supervised by the East African Portland Company, with heavy security presence from the Police Services and GSU.
Families continue to grapple with the harsh reality of losing their homes and sleeping in the cold. Children have been forced to cut short their studies as they search for new places to stay.
The destruction of churches, mosques, and businesses has left people in anguish and confusion.
