Faith or Displacement? Kambi Nyasi Families Plead for Compassion as Eviction Looms
“I have lived here my whole life. My children and I have nowhere else to go,” she said. “The church should be a place of help, not displacement. I cannot imagine what will happen to us if we are forced to leave.”
Residents of Kambi Nyasi, facing imminent eviction from land owned by the ACK Church in Eldoret.(Photo by George Misati)
A cloud of uncertainty hangs over the community of Kambi Nyasi, where 24 families face imminent eviction from land they have called home for more than two decades. The 13-acre plot, owned by the Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK), has been earmarked for the construction of a school aimed at helping less fortunate children. However, the decision to displace dozens of vulnerable residents has triggered an emotional outcry, highlighting the tension between development and human compassion.
The families, many of whom include orphans, the elderly, and struggling parents, have lived on the land for generations and now face an uncertain future.
“Where Are We Supposed to Go?”
Joseph Lolepio, a community spokesperson, captured the collective despair in his plea.
“This land has housed three generations. Instead of settling us or building rental homes for our survival, they’re asking us to leave. If the church, which we view as a refuge, can evict people, where are we supposed to go? This is inhumane,” Lolepio said.
The looming eviction has left families grappling with both the loss of their homes and the betrayal of their trust in the church as an institution of support and refuge.
A Call for a Balanced Solution
The affected families are not opposing the commercial building project but are seeking an alternative that considers their plight. Residents have appealed to Anglican Bishop Jackson Ole Sapit to allocate three acres of the land for their resettlement before construction begins.
“We are not against the housing project,” said Sylvia Wamboi, who has spent her entire life in Kambi Nyasi. “We are simply asking for a humane solution. The church should help us find an alternative instead of forcing us into destitution.”
Halima Gonaya, a single mother and lifelong resident, expressed her despair.
“I have lived here my whole life. My children and I have nowhere else to go,” she said. “The church should be a place of help, not displacement. I cannot imagine what will happen to us if we are forced to leave.”
Turning to National Leaders for Help
In desperation, the families have extended their pleas beyond church officials to national leaders, including President William Ruto. They hope that intervention from higher authorities can prevent the displacement.
“Mr. President, we need your intervention,” urged Michael Karanja, another resident. “We are poor, and this is our home. Please hear our prayers and stop this injustice.”
Others have made direct appeals to the church, urging its leadership to show compassion.
“Our only hope lies in the church,” said Richard Agula. “Please show us compassion and help us find a place to stay. We are not asking for much—just a chance to rebuild our lives.”
Moral Dilemma for the Church
The situation has raised difficult ethical questions for the Anglican Church. While its goal to educate underprivileged children is widely praised, critics argue that evicting long-time residents contradicts the church’s mission to care for the vulnerable.
“This is not just a question of land ownership,” said a local observer. “It’s a moral test for the church. How can an institution built on Christ’s teachings of love and charity justify displacing the very people it is supposed to protect?”
The church now finds itself at a crossroads, forced to reconcile its developmental goals with its responsibility to embody the compassion it preaches.
Time Running Out
With the eviction deadline fast approaching, the families’ options are dwindling. Many have no alternative housing or financial resources, leaving them on the brink of homelessness. Children face the risk of dropping out of school, while the elderly fear they may not survive the upheaval.
Despite the uncertainty, the residents remain determined to fight for their rights. They continue to call on the church, government leaders, and the broader community to hear their voices and prevent their displacement.
Hope for a Resolution
As the story of Kambi Nyasi unfolds, The affected families hope that their plight will inspire those in power to find a solution that preserves their dignity and safeguards their future while allowing the school project to move forward.
The outcome of this struggle will not only shape the fate of Kambi Nyasi’s residents but also set a precedent for how society treats its most vulnerable members in the pursuit of development.
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