A wave of fear and anger has engulfed Woodley Estate in Nairobi following the forceful eviction of tenants by Governor Johnson Sakaja’s administration due to unpaid rent. Families were abruptly awakened to chaos as county officials invaded their homes, discarding belongings and securing doors. This action occurred despite residents having obtained a court order to halt the evictions. Hundreds of affected tenants are voicing their outrage, accusing the county government of flouting the law and exacerbating their hardships amid a severe economic crisis.
Governor Sakaja Determined to Evict Woodley Tenants Despite Court Order
Friday morning turned into a nightmare for Woodley Estate residents when Nairobi County officials stormed the neighborhood unannounced. Without warning, they started evicting tenants from county-owned houses, claiming they owed years of unpaid rent.
The shock was written all over Sam Gachago’s face. A resident for over 50 years, he watched helplessly as officials threw out his belongings. “They sent county employees to my house.
They ignored the court order. Their calculations on arrears are not even correct,” said Gachago, who also chairs the Woodley Development Initiative.
Many families shared his despair. “They came like goons. They flung our property outside without care. We lost valuables. They damaged our things,” another tenant lamented.
Residents accuse the county government of acting with impunity, disregarding a valid court order that was supposed to maintain the status quo. The eviction left mothers, children, and the elderly stranded on the streets, surrounded by scattered household items.
County officials defended the evictions, saying tenants had defaulted for too long. “We are following the law. We are not targeting anyone unfairly. They must pay what they owe,” said Lydia Mathia, Nairobi County’s CECM.
However, the county denied receiving any court order blocking the process. Meanwhile, affected residents have vowed to return to court to seek justice.
Families Left Homeless as Nairobi County Government’s Eviction Plan Faces Backlash
For many in Woodley, the eviction feels like a cruel punishment during hard economic times. Parents wonder where their children will sleep tonight. Others fear they may never recover what was lost.
“They threw away my children’s schoolbooks, our clothes, everything. How are we supposed to rebuild?” one distraught mother cried.
The evictions have drawn criticism from legal experts and human rights groups who accuse the county government of using excessive force and violating tenants’ rights. “The law must be respected. Evictions without due process are illegal and inhumane,” said a Nairobi-based lawyer advocating for the residents.
Residents Fight Back as Legal Battle Looms Over Evictions
Despite the trauma, the residents of Woodley are not giving up. They plan to challenge the evictions in court, demanding compensation for damages and enforcement of their rights.
“We will not be silenced. We will fight this injustice in court and beyond,” vowed Gachago.
As the standoff escalates, questions remain about how far Governor Sakaja’s government will go to evict Woodley tenants—and whether the law will protect those already left homeless.
