PS Hinga Defends Makongeni Demolitions, Says Tenants Received Ksh.150,000 Compensation
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The remaining cases, he noted, are tied to issues such as inconsistencies in identity documents that have delayed the completion of verification. Photo/courtesy
By Ruth sang
Housing and Urban Development Principal Secretary Charles Hinga has moved to address public concern over the demolition of units in Makongeni Estate, saying the exercise is part of the broader Nairobi Eastlands Regeneration Programme. According to the PS, the vast majority of tenants affected by the redevelopment have already received compensation amounting to Ksh. 150,000 – an amount he said is equivalent to nine years of rent for the units they occupied.
In an interview on Citizen TV on Tuesday, PS Hinga said that Eastlands was planned to accommodate approximately 17,000 households on the land area stretching 3,100 acres. This density, according to him, is outdated and unsustainable against the surging population growth recorded in Nairobi. He added that the regeneration program targets changing the face of the region into modern, more efficient, affordable, and high-density housing.
Of the 3,600 households marked for relocation, Hinga said that close to 3,300 tenants have so far received their compensation through M-Pesa. The remaining cases, he noted, are tied to issues such as inconsistencies in identity documents that have delayed the completion of verification.
Hinga further responded to grievances by a section of the residents who expressed confusion over the compensation rationale. He said complications arose after some of those tenants who sublet their units failed to inform their subtenants of the disbursements, and again, the government’s legal obligation rested with the original tenants. However, Hinga revealed that the government had in principle agreed to include subtenants in the Ksh.150,000 compensation. The move, he said, was in the interest of justice to avert unnecessary suffering among families living in the estate.
“We had long discussions with the tenants,” he said. “It is not common for a tenant to be paid to vacate a unit. Usually, the tenant is the one paying the landlord. In this case, we agreed that the tenant would receive financial support to move.” He added that the initial offer of Ksh.30,000 had been revised upward after discussions with tenant representatives, ultimately settling at the current Ksh.150,000 payout. Hinga stressed that all 3,600 households signed consent forms confirming the agreement.
Responding to testimonies from some Makongeni families who said the relocation has disrupted their lives, especially those who have lived in the area for decades, Hinga expressed understanding but maintained that the redevelopment project is designed with long-term benefits in mind. The government has assured the residents that once the new Affordable Housing units are completed, they will be given priority to purchase the homes. Government insists it will create better living conditions and more opportunities for thousands of Nairobi residents, despite the ongoing concerns.
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