Residents of Makongeni Estate have been handed a five-day ultimatum to vacate their homes ahead of planned demolitions set for December 2, marking the start of a major redevelopment project in the area.
While many families who have already received compensation have begun relocating, others—some of whom have lived in the estate for more than 60 years—remain reluctant, accusing the government of uprooting their lives without adequate support.
The government says the clearance is necessary to pave the way for a modern, upgraded version of Makongeni.
Officials have assured residents that once construction is complete, they will be given the first priority to purchase units in the new estate, allowing them to return and rebuild within the improved community.
But on the ground, it is a race against time. Families have started packing their belongings into pick-up trucks as they search for new homes, new routines, and new schools for their children.
For many, the Ksh150,000 compensation provided to more than 3,000 households is far from enough to start over.
Some residents also claim they have not received any compensation at all, despite being served eviction notices.
Government officials acknowledge that around 100 households are yet to be paid, citing verification challenges such as mismatched identification documents. They insist the remaining families will receive their payments once the issues are resolved.
