Nubian community cries foul over Kibos demolitions [Photos]

Members of the Nubian communiy after their homes were demolished in Kibos. [Dennish Ochieng, Standard]

More than 3,500 individuals in Kibos village in Kisumu County spent the night in the cold after the Kenya Railways (KR), demolished their homesteads standing on the old Railway lines.

This is after the 90-day notice issued by KR Managing Director Philip Mainga last year lapsed forcing them to forcefully reclaim the property it says was grabbed.

A boy stands in the middle of the debris following Kibos demolitions. [Dennish Ochieng, Standard]

Anguish and agony characterised the relocation of the Nubian community living in Kibos. The residents recounted losses after a night of demolition of their houses, despite being relocated to a new area.

The exercise was done to pave way for the rehabilitation of the old railway line from Nakuru to Kisumu which is to cost Sh3.8 billion.

Children try to salvage undamaged property following the Kibos demolitions. [Dennish Ochieng, Standard]

The line to Kisumu will support the newly refurbished Sh3 billion Kisumu port expected to revive active marine and inland water transport in Lake Victoria to promote a blue economy.

Last week, KR authorities reminded the locals that the notice was due to expire but they ignored the warnings.

A member of the Nubian community affected by the Kibos demolitions. [Dennish Ochieng, Standard]

Last night, KR and Kisumu Security raided the homes and brought them down.

The Sunday Standard sought for comments from Police boss Karanja Muiruri, but he asked for more time to revert.

Residents sleep in makeshift tents following Kibos demolitions. [Dennish Ochieng, Standard]

Some of the affected families defied the eviction notices issued by KR claiming that the land in Kibos, is communal.

“Kenya Railways will not bear any liability for any loss or damage,” read the notice.

But some residents dismissed the notice and claimed they had the relevant documents for their land.

Nubian community chairman Rashid Khamis and committee member Noor Rajab asked KR to be fair to them as a minority community.