Hundreds Rendered Homeless After Kambi Nyasi Evictions in Eldoret
“Unfortunately, we do not have control over the weather conditions as much as we sympathize and pray that those affected will get the help they need,” Christopher Ruto, Bishop of the ACK Diocese of Eldoret.
A collage image showing a bulldozer demolishing houses at Kambi Nyasi in Eldoret as residents scramble to salvage their belongings, including transporting household items on a motorcycle, alongside a man recovering wooden materials from his demolished home following the eviction.
By Hubz Media
Tens of families have been left homeless in Kipkaren estate in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County, following Tuesday morning demolitions at Kambi Nyasi that have sparked outrage and raised humanitarian concerns.
The demolitions were carried out following an eviction notice issued by the Environment and Land Court in a long-running land dispute between the Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) Eldoret Diocese and squatters who had been occupying the contested 23-acre parcel of land for decades.
Eyewitnesses described chaotic scenes as structures were brought down early in the morning, leaving families scrambling to salvage their belongings . The evictions have reportedly displaced vulnerable groups, including children, elderly persons, and women, many of whom spent the night in the cold without shelter.
Some of the affected families have strongly criticized the church leadership, accusing it of executing the eviction without adequate notice and failing to consider the humanitarian impact of the exercise.
Abdullahi Jillow, a long-time resident, said he has lived in Kambi Nyasi his entire life and now has nowhere to go.
“I was born here 45 years ago and today we have been forcefully ejected from our homes. Where do we take our school-going children with the heavy rains being witnessed right now? This is inhuman,” lamented Jillow.
Another resident, Richard Ogolla, claimed he was born on the disputed land in 1968 after his parents settled in Eldoret. He alleged that the eviction was carried out abruptly.
“We woke up to chaos of hired goons demolishing our houses as police watched from a distance. It is very uncharacteristic of an institution like a church to evict vulnerable women and children in this manner. We were not served with any eviction notice and now we have nowhere to go,” said Ogolla.
Human rights activists have also weighed in, condemning the evictions and calling for urgent intervention to address the plight of the displaced families.
Uasin Gishu-based activist Kimutai Kirui accused the ACK leadership, led by Jackson Ole Sapit, of precipitating a humanitarian crisis.
“The church is supposed to be the lifeline for the vulnerable in society, not the oppressor. Will ACK led by Archbishop Ole Sapit have any moral authority to criticize the government of the day when they evict vulnerable people under such circumstances?” Kirui posed.
However, the Anglican Church of Kenya has defended its actions, maintaining that the eviction was lawful and conducted in compliance with a court order.
Speaking on behalf of the church, Christopher Ruto, Bishop of the ACK Diocese of Eldoret, said the matter had been in court for years and a ruling had been delivered in favor of the church.
“This has been a long-running case at the courts and a verdict was reached in our favor. Many of the affected individuals had illegally encroached and constructed structures on the land while carrying fictitious documents that were disapproved by the court,” Ruto said.
He added that although the church sympathizes with those affected, it was bound to act in accordance with the law.
“Unfortunately, we do not have control over the weather conditions as much as we sympathize and pray that those affected will get the help they need,” he noted.
According to the bishop, the disputed land was allocated to the church by former President Daniel arap Moi, and the institution holds a valid title deed. He said the church intends to develop the land for community benefit, including plans to construct a school.
However, the displaced families have disputed this claim, insisting that they were allocated the land by the late Bishop Alexander Muge. Some residents further allege that the church plans to develop rental housing units on the land, a claim the church has not confirmed.
The evictions have reignited debate over land ownership disputes in Uasin Gishu County, particularly in areas where informal settlements have existed for decades without clear documentation.
As families remain exposed to harsh weather conditions and uncertain futures, pressure is mounting on county and national authorities to intervene and provide humanitarian assistance to those displaced. The situation is especially dire for school-going children whose education has been abruptly disrupted, underscoring the broader social impact of the evictions.
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