Disquiet has been witnessed after one thousand tenants living in county houses in Eldoret were evicted to give way for the government’s affordable housing project.
According to reports, President William Ruto is expected to launch the project in Eldoret next week. However, the residents have protested the move claiming the move is ironical.
Residents claim that they were evicted from their houses at Pioneer Estate where some of them have lived for more than 30 years without any notice of eviction.
Also Read: President Ruto Promises To Implement Housing Levy Fund Using All Means Necessary
Some who sought anonymity claimed they had not been given any official notices to vacate and that the sudden evictions would expose them to suffering since they have nowhere to go with the sudden eviction.
County officials led by Governor Jonathan Bii and Uasin Gishu County Commissioner Eddison Nyale went to the estate on Tuesday and met with the families after which they were asked to vacate.
Governor Bii explained to the families the benefits of the affordable housing project and why it’s important for the project to be enrolled in the region.
Although the government offered to pay Sh10,000 to each of the families to help them move out, many of them said they were yet to receive the cash.
Also Read: Section Of Kenyans Stage Protests In Nairobi Demanding Housing Levy Implementation
One tenant said that they had been told to vacate by March 2024 verbally and they were given time to deal with school re opening before vacating. However the sudden change of plan by the county government has caught them off guard.
“It’s inhuman because we agreed that we are given time to have the children go to school then we move out by March but it seems no one cares,”
President William Ruto will on Tuesday launch the construction of 1,508 units at the estate where 9 high-rise blocks will be developed through the affordable housing project initiative by the government.