A woman has been left distraught after a private firm demolished their private residence in Karen where they have spent nearly 5 decades of their lives.
The woman said that the company arrived at their residence on Marula Lane, in Karen just hours after midnight, at 3 a.m. They immediately started the demolition process of the 40-acre piece of land with the family still inside.
The family has now been left homeless after brutally watching bulldozers tear through their walls and destroy their house’s top floor.
“Where will my children go? Where will I go? These people are telling us to leave our land, but where do we go?” she complained while addressing press representatives.
It is alleged that the family has been living on disputed land. The private company states that it possesses a title deed, that the family believes to be fake. They accuse corrupt officials at the Ministry of Lands of working with the cartels.
“We went to the Ministry but found out that the property had also been registered to the company,” the woman said.
“Some people came from nowhere and lay claim to our land. If you look at this building here, they arrived at 3:00 a.m. yesterday and destroyed it in the process.”
The homeowner claims that they have owned the land for over 49 years, since 1974. On the other hand, the private firm alleges that they bought the land from a foreigner.
She insisted that the company officials provide clear evidence of the transaction, including proof of payment and a clear record of ownership transfer. These were not given at the time when demolitions started, as the company were only willing to present a title deed.
The woman criticized the company’s procedure in repossessing the land, questioned the legitimacy of a foreigner being involved and their failure to produce stipulated documents.
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“I’ve had this land for 49 years, came in 1974, hence those saying that this is their land, how is it so? They claimed that a white man ceded ownership to them, who is this foreigner and how come the firm is not bringing the document showing the proof of payments?” the woman questioned.
Kenyans took a dig at the news of the woman’s demolition, given the ongoing property demolitions around the country. Here’s how some of them weighed in:
Kenne Kush V-ruz: Oh my goodness, are there any legal processes followed? And speaking of home demolitions, what happened to the Westie one?
Kogo Franklin: I think the drill should apply to other areas as well…let people possess legit documents or else they face the wrath of KK.
Sara Mu: We are tired of demolitions! Someone stop them and bring some order. This is getting out of hand. the hurry in which they happen shows that something is always afoot!
Moses Kiarie: Extremely annoying especially the loud silence from the authorities which makes one conclude they are beneficiaries in one way or another.
