Mukuru residents protest delayed relocation funds six months after resettlement

Residents of New Mukuru Housing Estate have staged protests over delays in the release of their relocation facilitation funds, six months after moving into their new homes.

Each household was expected to receive Ksh.30,000 as a relocation allowance to help them settle. However, many residents say the money has yet to be disbursed, raising fears that they may be shortchanged.

On Monday morning, some residents pitched camp outside the Affordable Housing Project offices in Upper Hill, Nairobi, demanding answers and immediate action. 

According to the residents, the initial relocation package was set at Ksh.150,000, later negotiated down to Ksh.75,000, before a final agreement was reached at Ksh.30,000 per household—an amount they say is yet to be paid.

 “Tukaambiwa hapana ile pesa haiwezi kuwa 75k ni 30k sababu mko na nyumba, na wote wenye mnatoka Mukuru na Marigoini mumepata nyumba so mtapata 30k. Tukasema ni sawa, hio 30k mtu ataenda aanze kazi yake, auze mboga yake aanze maisha upya vile estate ni mpya," said a resident Geoffrey Bosire. 

The residents say only a few people have so far received the money, six months after moving into their new homes. According to them, Housing Principal Secretary Charles Hinga had promised that the relocation funds would be disbursed before Christmas, a pledge they say is yet to be fully honoured.

“Tukauliza simu zikapigwa, kuna mtu anaitwa Muri ndio anasimamia hii programme ya SEPU. Tukapiga simu tukiwa na meeting hapo kwa estate yetu akasema pesa ilitoka kitambo sana, hata watu washakula," Bosire added.

Some residents who are yet to receive the relocation funds say they are stranded following the demolition of their former homes and are still awaiting allocation of the newly launched units.

Rose Naliaka – Resident, Mukuru
“President alikuja kulaunch phase two lakini hatujapata nyumba hata kifunguu hatukupewa. Kijiji ilibomolewa, tunanyeshewa na watoto," Rose stated.

Another resident Simon Agoso  said, “Niko na watu wamekuja kukaa kwangu watatu hawana mahali pa kwenda juu hawajapewa facilitation ya kutafuta nyumba ingine, na inanikera sana juu sasa nitawakalisha aje.”

“Walisema tumepata nyumba. President alikuja akalaunch na wakasema tutakulia ndani Christmas, na tumekulia nje," added Ben Anjira.

According to the residents, a section of them is still waiting for the government to furnish their houses, following an agreement deposited with a lawyer that allows the cost of the furnishings to be paid in instalments.

“Tulikuwa tumeambiwa ni za loan, so we pay 400 on top of rent, so huwezi nunua vitu zingine until uletewe vitu," Rose noted.

Affordable Housing Board Chief Executive Officer Sheila Waweru, speaking to Citizen TV on phone, said the payment process is underway and that all eligible residents are expected to receive the funds by next week.

However, the CEO noted that residents who have not remitted their monthly contributions for the housing units will have the arrears deducted from their relocation facilitation funds.