Raila Blocked, Chased Away From Athi River Demolitions

Azimio coalition leaders have been denied access at theMavoko Portland Cement eviction and demolitions.

Leader led by Azimio Principal Raila Odinga was set to visit the site where hundreds of residents have been evicted and had their properties demolished.

Upon arrival, Police officers told the Azimio leaders that they could not allow them to access the site at the moment.

The Azimio leaders were told to wait until next week.

Not sitting well with Raila, he told the officers they were not bringing any harm to the area.

“We are here to see the civilians who have been affected. We are not here to interfere with the exercise,” Raila said.

However, the police officer whose name was Joseph, said that they had received orders from above that no one should be allowed on the site.

“A lot of things are going on there and by you visiting the place you will interfere,” the police said.

Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka who appeared to be unease told the officers that they were following orders blindly.

” You are following what you were told. This situation can determine your future,” he said.

ODM Secretary General Edwin however said that Azimio will respect the police orders.

“There is no need of unnecessary confrontation. We will accept whatever orders they have given. But we need to address the country from here,” he said.

Raila was accompanied by Kalonzo, Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti, Fernandes Barasa (Kakamega), Minority Leader at the Senate Steward Madzayo, Mavoko MP Patrick Makau among other leaders.

Ongoing demolitions on East African Portland Cement PLC land have entered day five.

The demolitions, which began last Friday, have seen hundreds of residents of the newly created county village in Athi River, Machakos, rendered homeless with several schools and churches demolished.

Those who had settled in the area were forced to evict as bulldozers roared louder bringing down lush homes on the disputed land.

The demolitions are being effected after a ten-year court battle between the cement grinder, East African Portland Cement PLC and Aimi Ma Lukenya came to a close at Machakos ELC Court on October 9, 2023.

The high court in Machakos on October 9 declared East African Portland Cement PLC the legitimate owner of land LR NO. 10424 located within Athi River in Mavoko, Machakos county.

This follows a legal suit No 74 of 2014 filed at Machakos ELC Court by some individuals, and officials of Aimi Ma Lukenya Society against the cement grinder on the said land’s ownership dispute in 2014.

The suit had been consolidated with Petition No 10 of 2018 with Julius Mutie Mutua, Alex Kyalo Mutemi, Pascal Kiseli Basilo Mungui listed as plaintiffs suing as officials of Aimi Ma Lukenya Society and East African Portland Cement Ltd, chief Lands registrar and Attorney General as first, second and third defendants respectively.