Residents of Bangladesh in Jomvu Sub County, Mombasa, are now calling on Kenya Power to comply with a court order permitting them to vacate areas near the company’s powerlines. However, the locals have labeled the vacation order as illegal.
Speaking to the media on Friday, the residents expressed their concerns, stating that if the demolition proceeds, it will displace hundreds of households.
“We’ve been living here for the past thirty years without any issues,” one resident remarked.
The residents also voiced their disapproval of the 14-day vacation notice, which they believe is unlawful.
“Kenya Power cannot just evict us like this, especially with schools about to reopen. They need to provide us with an alternative,” another resident lamented.
Meanwhile, John Paul Obonyo, Land, Housing, and Environment Officer at Haki Yetu Organization, said they are working closely with the county government to ensure that the law is upheld.
Obonyo explained that, in collaboration with the county’s lands department, the organization has completed the process of identifying all boundaries in the Bangladesh area.
“We are holding a feedback session next week to finalize the identification of boundaries and plot numbers in the area,” Obonyo added.
The advocacy group highlighted that the residents have expressed frustration over what they consider an infringement on their rights to housing.