Odinga Family Opposes Planned Demolition of Jaramogi's Eastlands Home
The family of Kenya’s first vice-president Jaramogi Oginga Odinga is against the planned demolition of their property in the Eastlands area of Nairobi.
The two-storey house located in Jerusalem estate is among old structures earmarked for demolition in the ongoing urban renewal program by the government.
The house was built by the Israeli government in the 60s and it's where Jaramogi, the father of ODM leader Raila Odinga, lived for decades.
Evelyne Awino Ogola, a granddaughter of Jaramogi who currently lives in the house, says destroying the property amounts to erasing part of Kenya’s history.
She notes that the house is of sentimental value to the family, adding that they did not change its ownership even after the death of her grandfather in 1994.
Evelyne says she fears curses may befall the Odinga family if the home, which forms parts of their roots is demolished.
She wants the government to instead gazette the property as a historical site in honor of Jaramogi, who contributed immensely to the country’s liberation struggle.
“He (Jaramogi) will drop dead immediately if he wakes up and finds the spot his three-roomed house the Israel government built in the 60s stood on is replaced by a skyscraper,” Evelyne told K24.
Asked why she prefers to live in the Eastlands home yet the family owns posh houses across the country, Evelyne said, “My grandfather was a humble personality who preferred to live a simple life. His humility inspires the family. The leafy suburbs have their owners.”
She indicated that her uncle Raila visits the house, especially during the campaign trail, and hosts his supporters there.
The Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) plans to construct 62,000 highrise apartments to replace the old estates under the Eastlands Urban Renewal Plan.
Comments
The country has to move on…
Permalink
The country has to move on with better developed structures devoid of the history behind whoever lived in the small house!
Curses do not before people for demolishing such an old structure. Mixing individual beliefs, cultures and development is a major hindrance to progressive reforms!
And again, njaromogi is not coming back to earth from the dead! Let’s move with the new city planned agenda!
I kinda agree...let this…
Permalink
I kinda agree...let this address be gazetted as a historical site -- not for fear of curses, but Jaramogi has his place in history, yes, and his humbleness quite unique in a Kenya where flaunting has subtly been engraved in our lifestyle...
The government should have…
Permalink
The government should have labeled this site as a HISTORIC DISTRICT...Where by the houses will be kept nice and all repairs would be approved by the city.
I was lucky to get one that LBJ's wife lived. All major repairs have to be approved by the city.
Evelyne Awino Ogola,think of…
Permalink
Evelyne Awino Ogola,think of how many people will benefit from 60 thousand apartments, its good to look at the big picture.
Well said @ Sam Ingram. I…
Permalink
In reply to Evelyne Awino Ogola,think of… by sam ingram (not verified)
Well said @ Sam Ingram. I think if jaramogi were alive, he would go with that kind of progressive thinking.
Thanks to the magic of technology. We can Awino can preserve the building by taking very good pictures,and videos.That's how we preserve personal memories,in addition to artifacts.
If maemdeleo called for the parliament to be bulldozed,nothing should stop that as well.Let's look at the better good for society.Na hiyo ndio maendeleo.
Hehehehe yr grandfather…
Permalink
Hehehehe yr grandfather bewitched the Luo/nyanza people just like his evil son raila who continues to empoverish the region n have refused to own up his mistakes.Compare politics in central province vs nyanza we the gikuyu kicks our non performing leaders out but nyanza they keep recycling the same leaders who aslong as they sing ondingas family song.Demorish the stupid estate period.Ondinga family will continue bin remembered as the worse family entire of kenya
In the late 90s I witnessed…
Permalink
In the late 90s I witnessed Jaramogi on numerous occasions being assisted by aides up the stairs from his signature red Peugeot 505, so to that end it is true that he lived there. Its a fond memory from my childhood
However the houses are council owned and not the personal property. My mother still pays rent to the council for "our house" across the road from Jaramogi's. I would not object to a well laid out plan to demolish, construct and re-house current council house card holders in the new properties with an option to buy. A rent to buy scheme with proper management would benefit many.
@Thomas Ngugi...I agree with…
Permalink
@Thomas Ngugi...I agree with you, lakini if they will construct high rise buildings. I have my deep reservation. Think of the water shortage right now...how will they be able to overcome this? Garbage or none existent collection? I think it is going to be one big ghetto like estates with crime na uhuni mwingi. Like you, I grew up in these Jeri, salem and... but those days are long gone.....
https://www.google.com…
Permalink
https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2FX…
Add new comment