NAIROBI, Kenya- Demolitions in Marurui have sparked protests and disrupted transport along the Northern Bypass, as residents clash with authorities over contested land.
The ongoing evictions have drawn anger from hundreds of residents, many of whom say they have lived on the land for decades and now face displacement without clear alternatives.
On Sunday, tension escalated after residents, largely squatters, blocked sections of the Northern Bypass, paralysing traffic as they protested what they described as illegal demolitions and land grabbing by a private developer.
Witness footage showed burning tyres, barricades made of logs and stones, and a heavy police presence as protesters demanded government intervention.
“We were born and raised here. We have nowhere else to go,” one resident said.
Thousands at risk
The disputed land in Marurui is home to more than 6,000 squatters, many of whom have occupied the area for over two decades.
The area has long been the subject of ownership disputes involving private developers, government agencies and individuals claiming historical rights to the land.
Part of the contested parcels are also tied up in court battles, further complicating the situation.
Wider crackdown across Nairobi
The demolitions come amid a broader push by authorities in Nairobi to reclaim land and remove structures deemed illegal or built on riparian reserves.
Governor Johnson Sakaja has defended similar demolitions across the city, saying they are necessary to address flooding risks caused by blocked waterways and illegal developments.
The county government says structures built on drainage systems and riverbanks are contributing to deadly floods, especially during the ongoing heavy rains.
However, rights groups and residents have raised concerns about the manner in which demolitions are being carried out, citing lack of notice, inadequate consultation and the risk of mass displacement.
