Makongeni is facing a painful moment as families wake up to machines tearing down homes that have stood for decades.
What many hoped would remain a distant threat has now become a harsh reality. Long-standing houses are being knocked down in minutes, and entire families are left staring at demolished walls that once held their history.
The scene has left thousands confused, emotional, and unsure of what tomorrow will bring.For most residents, the biggest shock is how fast everything happened.
They say they were only given five days to vacate, a period many feel was not enough to move out of homes they have lived in for more than sixty years.
Many of the people affected were born in Makongeni. Their parents lived here. Their children grew up running around these same compounds.
Life in this neighbourhood has always been built on close bonds, shared struggles, and deep friendships. Now, with no clear alternative, families watch the places that shaped them disappear under the Affordable Housing Program.
The government offered a relocation facilitation of 150,000 shillings, but residents argue the amount cannot get them decent housing anywhere in Nairobi. Business owners say their kiosks and shops are far more valuable than what has been offered.
Some families say they have not received any money at all. For many, the demolition is not just about losing a building but losing stability at a time when life is already expensive.
A group of residents blocked Jogoo Road using stones and burning debris to stop traffic and demand fair treatment. Police officers arrived to break up the protest, adding more tension to an already emotional situation. People shouted, cried, and pleaded for more time, while others expressed fear that they may never recover what they are losing.
The Law Society of Kenya has now entered the scene, saying the entire process goes against Kenyan law and international standards on evictions.
LSK President Faith Odhiambo says the notices were too short, the compensation was not uniform, and vulnerable groups were ignored.
The society also criticised the arrest of officials from the Makongeni Residents Association, calling the whole exercise oppressive and unlawful.
LSK has confirmed it is moving to court to stop the evictions.
Opposition leaders have also warned that the new units being built under the Affordable Housing Program may end up too expensive for the very people who are being removed.
They point to other similar projects where original residents were never able to return because the costs were too high.
The government insists the redevelopment will bring modern apartments, schools, markets, health centers, and green spaces, and promises that current residents will be given priority.
But for the families watching their homes fall apart, those assurances feel uncertain. Many fear losing not only shelter but also their identity, memories, and the community spirit that has defined Makongeni for generations.
