Govt Demolishes Amina Mohamed’s Home

The residence of former Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed in Kakamega has been demolished by unidentified individuals, who proceeded with the destruction despite a standing court order preventing the government from taking such action.

Located in Kakamega’s Milimani Estate and registered under Lucas Nandih Shamalla, the house has been at the center of a contentious ownership dispute.

Wahida Omar, the caretaker, revealed that the vandals entered through the fence and meticulously damaged the property before departing through the gate.

This demolition occurred in direct violation of a court injunction issued on October 11, 2023, by the Environment and Land Court in Kakamega.

The court had specifically ordered a temporary injunction, restraining the government or any affiliated entities from disposing, selling, advertising for sale, auctioning, trespassing, occupying, entering upon, remaining, constructing, or interfering in any way with the possession, occupation, or proprietorship of the land registered in the name of Lucas Nandih Shamala.

Locals were observed scavenging for building materials in the aftermath of the demolition, underscoring the severity of the incident. The situation is exacerbated by the fact that this act of demolition transpired despite the court order explicitly prohibiting any interference with the property.

This incident reflects a recurring trend in Kakamega, where several houses, including the residence of sugar baron Jaswant Singh Rai, were demolished in November 2023. President William Ruto had commissioned an affordable housing project in Milimani Estate during his September 2023 visit to Kakamega.

The legal aftermath of these demolitions is substantial, with numerous civil suits lined up at the Kakamega High Court to contest the destruction of properties.

Among those affected, retired land valuer Odongo Kabita lost his rental apartments within the Milimani Block 2 section during the November 2023 demolitions.

The persistence of these demolitions in Kakamega raises questions about the efficacy of legal safeguards and court orders in protecting property rights. Despite the court’s explicit injunction, the demolition of Amina Mohamed’s residence highlights a concerning trend of defiance and disregard for established legal processes.

As the legal battles unfold, the community in Kakamega grapples with the aftermath, both in terms of tangible losses and the erosion of confidence in the protection of property rights.

The incident underscores the importance of ensuring that legal decisions are not only issued but also effectively enforced to safeguard the rights and properties of individuals involved.