County to demolish more buildings

Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o.

Uncertainty has gripped investors in Kisumu after Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o’s administration earmarked some buildings for another round of demolitions.

This comes as businesses struggle to get back to their feet due to economic effects of Covid-19 and previous demolition by Kenya Railways that rendered thousands jobless.

Structures targeted for demolition include a three-storey building housing a supermarket and others in Manyatta Arab estate.

The county said the buildings are on grabbed public land and road reserves while others were constructed on top of sewer lines.

Roadside stalls have also been earmarked for demolition with city manager Abala Wanga saying the move is part of the efforts to implement a non-motorised transport system.

Double tragedy

Over the weekend, county officials led by Abala marked the buildings for demolition and identified parcels of land the county government says have been grabbed by individuals.

The development will deal a blow to the city’s economy that has been struggling to recover after the first round of demolitions.

A number of affected traders are yet to find an alternative place while others suffered double tragedy after the places they went to were also brought down by county government bulldozers.

Some landlords and tenants who will be affected by the next phase of demolitions yesterday accused the county government of unfairly targeting their premises.

Joseph Odhiambo, a businessman whose kiosk will be demolished, said the timing of the demolitions was wrong.

“It is not easy. Most of us are counting huge losses after losing our sources of livelihood because of the demolitions,” Odhiambo said. Several buildings, including one that used to house a church, were brought down last week.