By Staff Reporter
Residents of Kahawa West, Nairobi, were on Friday morning thrown out of their homes in an eviction they say was carried out by armed goons under police escort, despite a court order halting any removal.
According to the families, the group stormed the compound at dawn and ordered them out. Gilbert Maranga, one of the occupants, said residents presented a valid court order suspending any eviction until an ownership dispute is resolved, but the group dismissed it.
Witnesses said the men claimed they were acting on instructions from a private developer laying claim to the property.In the ensuing confusion, household items were damaged as families were forced out while armed police officers looked on.
Residents condemned the eviction as a disregard of the court process and called on authorities to intervene.
The incident mirrors a pattern seen in several parts of the country, where evictions have been carried out without proper court orders or adequate notice.
Over the years, human rights groups have repeatedly raised concerns about forced removals involving police or hired groups, often in disputes between communities and private developers or state agencies.
Cases in areas such as Kariobangi, Ruai, and parts of Kisumu and Mombasa have drawn criticism for disregarding court directives and failing to provide affected families with due process or alternatives.
Parliament, the National Land Commission, and the courts have each flagged the need for clearer enforcement procedures and accountability when security officers are involved in civil land disputes.
The Kahawa West case adds to those concerns, with residents urging investigative agencies and oversight bodies to establish who authorised the operation and why the court order was ignored.