Raila blocked from entering Portland Cement demolition site

Odinga accompanied by other opposition-allied leaders was met by unrelenting police officers who said they were carrying out an order and would not allow the leaders to address the public from the site.

“I can't let you go in because you will interrupt what is going on. Just continue and hold your meeting elsewhere,” the officer in charge said.

Odinga made several attempts to get access to the site but were all met with a hard and explicit NO.

“If I did not allow the area member of parliament and the governor. I will not let you get in. We know that when you start talking, things will start unfolding,” he continued.

In what he termed as an interruption, the officer in charge told the Azimio entourage to find another venue for their meeting and return in a week's time. 

“Right now, this is interruption …tell me, who are you visiting? You are going to tell the people to stop removing their things …After clearing what we are doing, we can allow you to come,” he continued.

The ongoing Mavoko demolitions have elicited mixed reactions from Kenyans, among them Azimio leader Raila Odinga who has termed them as “a human tragedy “ unfolding, before the eyes of Kenyans 

“What has gone on here in Mavoko this past few days is not just inhumane, it is ungodly…It's a gross violation of human rights,” Raila said.

Since last Friday, residences, including churches, mosques and schools have been demolished following a decision by the Machakos High Court, which ruled that the land had been illegally occupied.

EPLC emerged victorious in a legal dispute to remove occupants from the 1,740 hectares of land in Machakos County when the claimants could not provide documentation confirming ownership.

The land has inhabitants who have been residents for more than a decade.

The residents are now appealing to President William Ruto for assistance, urging him to intervene and shield them from the distressing situation that has left them homeless, with others seeking compensation for their losses.