The Demolition
Unlike other slums in the area, Masai has not experienced major demolition or forced eviction problems until recently when a bulldozer destroyed the whole village in the middle of the night. It was around 1 a.m. on 19th December 2008 when villagers were awoken by shouts of people announcing a ‘20-minute notice’ to vacate their houses or else they perish with them. True to the word, the village was flattened within thirty minutes with total disregard of the people’s safety or right to life. Even a 15,000 litres water tank that the parish had installed nearby barely two months earlier was destroyed together with the sanitation facilities (toilets and bathrooms) and the water taps. A contingent of hired youth and a tractor had been sent by an unconfirmed person to come and mercilessly demolition the village in the middle of the night. Apparently, this was meant to scare the people so that they could vacate the quarter acre piece of land for some developer who was intending to make “better use” of it. According to the villagers, no official notice had been issued for the demolition. Indeed, even the area Chief and District Officer confirmed that they had no information or notice on the eviction or demolition of Masai slum.
The thirty-minute job done by the bulldozer left behind a huge destruction of property belonging to some of the poorest people in the parish. By standards, it may not be worth much especially compared to the wealthy neighbourhood in which the slum is located. But to the poor people it is all they can afford to call home. Most villagers did not manage to salvage anything due to the confusion and tension as people tried to get to safety before the tractor trashed on them or their children.
Reconstruction
All the affected families spent their Christmas and New Year holidays in the cold. As a parish, we stood in solidarity with the villagers by mobilizing humanitarian assistance from well-wishers in the parish. Some of the items donated include blankets and food stuff. The villagers were forced to erect make-shift shelters made of polythene papers to protect themselves from rain and cold especially at night. They even had to survive for a few days without toilets and water! It is unimaginable how human beings can subject their fellow countrymen to such living conditions.
The reconstruction of masai started with humble consultations between the villagers and the local administration in order to find the real reason for the demolition. So far none has claimed responsibility for the destruction including the city council. Hence, it was unanimously agreed that should well wishers offer to assist in the exercise, the residents can rebuilt their houses. As this was going on, a well wisher from Tione-Italy, Mr. Marco Scalfi was preparing his annual safari to Kenya and when he heard the news about Masai, he immediately committed himself to reconstruct the toilets and bathrooms. With the help of some youth from the community, a total of four toilets and two bathrooms were built.
As we approached Lenten Season, the words of Cardinal John Njue’s message for Lent 2009 became a reality “the material and financial collection for the needy assumes a special meaning, because it is not a matter of giving from one’s surplus in order to soothe one’s conscience, but of taking upon oneself, in a spirit of fraternal concern, the misery present around us”. Through Parishioners’ generous contributions, the village has now been reconstructed in a better and organized way. Indeed, one would hesitate to call it a slum any more. In fact, the residents have already proposed to name it “Consolata Shrine Estate” to be a sign that the old village has been replaced with a new and clean one.
The houses were officially handed over to the occupants on Wednesday 4th march 2009 during a Baraza attended by local leaders including Mr. Omuga (Chief, Highridge location), Mr. Oduor (Area Councillor), Mr. Maingi (Chief, Githogoro Location), Mrs. Margaret Nyakundi (Ass. Chief, Muthaiga), Mrs. Phyllis Kimbo (Pastoral Council Chairperson) among other guests. All the 65 house units have a similar dimension and have been allocated to all the residents. The leaders pleaded with the residents to stop dealing with any illegal businesses like the selling of illicit brews (chang’aa) as well as engaging in actions that might be used against them by their enemies. The area Councillor was so happy with the new “estate” that he exclaimed: “I have come to witness development”. He also promised his support in future.
Meanwhile, on behalf of the Pastoral team, I wish to thank those who contributed in cash and kind towards this worthy cause. During this time of Lent, I encourage all Parishioners to be mindful of their suffering brothers and sisters. In the story of ‘The rich man and lazarus’ (Lk. 16:19-31), Jesus condemned not the man and his wealth but the selfishness of the rich man whose wealth became his world and god.
May God grant us forgiveness as we wait to share the joy of the resurrection.
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