2,000 Woodley Inhabitants Fight Eviction in Court, Citing Resident Deaths

Over 2,000 people living in the Woodley Estate in Nairobi, which is over 50 years old, have taken legal action against the Nairobi County Government to prevent the demolition of their homes.

The residents have filed an urgent court case, citing the tragic deaths of at least seven residents from shock after receiving eviction notices. The case, presented by lawyer Danstan Omari, implores the court to intervene and protect the residents from further distress and potential loss of life. The petitioners, represented by the Woodley Residents Welfare Society (WRWS) and several officials, have named multiple respondents in their lawsuit, including the County Government of Nairobi, the Attorney General, and the Ministry of Lands, Housing, and Urban Development. They have also identified several interested parties, such as the Kenya National Human Rights Commission and the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority.

The residents argue that the government's actions infringe upon their property rights and that they were not consulted about any proposed developments or improvements to their long-standing homes. These homes, which have housed notable figures including former freedom fighter Achieng Oneko, are the subject of agreements between the residents and the former Nairobi City Council for purchase. The petitioners are seeking court orders to prevent interference with their peaceful occupation of the Woodley/Joseph Kang'ethe Estate and to prohibit any dealings with the land on which it stands. They contend that the eviction notices were unexpected and that any demolition without a clear redevelopment plan would result in severe hardship for the residents and their families.

Located in Kibra Sub-County, the estate has been an integral part of the community for over five decades, with residents establishing essential amenities such as shops, hospitals, schools, and churches. The petitioners argue that the planned demolition is an attempt by influential individuals to seize their properties and reallocate them to themselves and their associates. The residents have expressed concerns about the lack of transparency in the process, claiming that no environmental impact assessment has been presented to them and that the proceedings have been tainted by corruption.

They draw comparisons to similar estates like Makadara and Dagoretti, where the sale of houses to residents was recognized and permitted, and expected similar treatment in their case. The Nairobi County Government, under the leadership of Governor Johnson Sakaja, has been promoting an Affordable Housing Project aimed at providing modern housing solutions to city residents. However, the Woodley Estate inhabitants argue that this project lacks transparency and proper public participation. They fear that imminent eviction without a clear redevelopment strategy will disrupt their livelihoods and impair their ability to support their families.