State Defends Compensation as Court Intervenes

NAIROBI – Housing and Urban Development Principal Secretary Charles Hinga has publicly defended the contentious demolition of Makongeni Estate, asserting that the government has compensated the majority of residents displaced by the urban regeneration project. His remarks on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, came a day after the Environment and Land Court issued a temporary injunction halting the demolitions, which began on Sunday, November 23, 2025.

The demolitions are part of the government's ambitious Affordable Housing Programme and the broader Nairobi Eastlands Regeneration Plan, aimed at redeveloping the historic 139-acre estate. Makongeni, one of Nairobi's oldest residential areas, was originally established in the mid-20th century to house railway workers and is home to an estimated 40,000 people, many of whom have lived there for generations.

Speaking on Tuesday, Mr. Hinga stated that 3,300 out of 3,600 registered tenants had received a relocation payment of KSh 150,000 each. He described this amount as equivalent to nine years' rent and said it was increased from an initial offer of KSh 30,000 following negotiations. "We entered into a very engaging conversation with the tenants... all 3,600 tenants signed a consent form," Hinga said, adding that the government would also compensate subtenants despite having no legal obligation to do so.

Residents and Legal Bodies Challenge State's Narrative

Despite the government's assurances, the demolitions have been met with fierce resistance and legal challenges. On Monday, November 24, 2025, Justice Charles Mbogo of the Environment and Land Court issued conservatory orders that temporarily stopped the evictions and the destruction of property. The court also ordered the immediate reconnection of water and electricity, which residents claimed were disconnected to force them out. The ruling followed an urgent application by the Makongeni Residents Association, which argued the evictions were unlawful and inhumane.

The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has strongly condemned the manner of the evictions. LSK President Faith Odhiambo stated that the demolitions violate constitutional rights and Supreme Court standards, which mandate proper notice and respect for human dignity. The LSK contends that because the majority of residents had not received the promised relocation funds before the bulldozers moved in, the eviction notices were effectively invalid. The society also raised concerns over the arrest of officials from the residents' association who were opposing the evictions.

Residents have expressed anguish and frustration, with many caught off guard by the demolition crews, who were accompanied by anti-riot police. Protests had been building since early November, with community members arguing the notice period was too short and the compensation offered was insufficient to secure alternative housing in Nairobi.

A Contentious Blueprint for Nairobi's Future

The Makongeni project is a cornerstone of President William Ruto's plan to address Kenya's significant housing deficit, estimated to be around two million units. The government's blueprint for the 139-hectare site, legally owned by the Kenya Railways Staff Retirement Benefits Scheme, envisions a modern, high-density 'mini-city'. The plan allocates 75 acres for a mix of social and affordable housing, 12 acres for commercial use, and dedicated zones for schools, health facilities, and 20 acres of green spaces.

Mr. Hinga defended the project as a necessary step to modernize aging, low-density estates in Eastlands, which he argued represented poor land use. The government has assured displaced residents they will be given first priority to purchase homes in the new development once it is completed. However, critics, including Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, have questioned the affordability of the new units for the low-income families being displaced.

The standoff in Makongeni highlights the deep-seated tensions between national development goals and the housing rights of citizens. Human rights organizations like Amnesty International have previously documented a pattern of forced evictions in Nairobi linked to major infrastructure and urban renewal projects, often conducted without adequate safeguards. The court case, scheduled for an inter-partes hearing on December 4, 2025, is now a critical test that could set a legal precedent for how similar large-scale development projects are implemented across Kenya.