In a shocking turn of events, multiple homes in Athi River faced demolition following President William Ruto’s strict orders to reclaim land allegedly grabbed from the East Africa Portland Cement Company (EAPCC).
The President’s directive led to the forceful demolition of several mansions by bulldozers, leaving property owners scrambling to find alternative accommodation.
Heartbreaking scenes unfolded as residents desperately salvaged belongings from the wreckage, highlighting the human cost of this controversial decision.
Shockingly, some of the affected homes were still under construction, underscoring the abrupt disruption of dreams and investments.
Former Tusker Project Fame contestant Alvan Gatitu, known as Alvan Love, expressed deep dismay, condemning the President’s directive.
He pointed out the unfairness of punishing innocent families who had unwittingly purchased contested land, unaware of its legal issues.
The comedian also shared a message sent to the resident’s Whatsapp group by the chairman who allegedly sold them the land.
“Hello members, my hearty felt concerns to those affected. It was really inhuman, we were messed up by our lawyer, but soon things will be okay. We have held up a high-profile consultative meeting.
“Our able governor Her Excellency Wavinya Ndeti has talked with the concerned parties and top national administrators and demolitions have stopped,” read the message in part.
This demolition spree was spurred by a court ruling that found the landowners guilty of trespassing.
President Ruto’s subsequent orders aimed at recovering the grabbed land for transfer to the Export Processing Zones (EPZ) in Athi River reflected a broader crackdown on long-standing speculators who had held undeveloped land for years.
“I have given clear instructions to the management here that all speculators, people who have held titles to pieces of land for 10, 15, 20, 30 years without developing them, should be revoked so that we can give it to people who want to use this facility,” the Head of State directed.
