The government’s clearance and planned redevelopment of the Makongeni Estate has entered a more volatile phase, with eviction notices, compensation debates, and rising legal resistance shaping the narrative.
On 22 November 2025, authorities delivered eviction notices giving Makongeni residents five days to vacate, with a final deadline set for 2 December 2025. The stated purpose: to make way for a 139-acre “mini-city” under Kenya’s Affordable Housing Programme, integrating modern residential, commercial, civic, and recreational spaces.
Partial Clearance Underway, Demolition Imminent
Contractors are reportedly on the ground, and machinery is being positioned in readiness for full-scale demolition. While many large residential blocks remain standing, several peripheral structures — including temporary buildings and informal shops — appear to have been removed or are being actively cleared.
Sources close to the site say that the government is prioritizing final evacuations before ramping up destruction, suggesting a phased approach to demolition rather than an abrupt razing.
The Contested Compensation
More than 3,000 households have reportedly received a facilitation payment of KSh 150,000 to assist relocation. Yet, not all compensation has gone smoothly. According to government data, a small number of households — fewer than 100 — are still awaiting payment due to identity verification challenges.
This payment has sparked strong pushback: for many long-term residents, it’s inadequate to cover moving costs, securing new housing, school transfers, and other relocation expenses.
Voices from the Ground
Resident’s Perspective:
“Some members of the business community have not been factored in for compensation. … A person owning both a residence and a business cannot be compensated separately, calling it unfair and oppressive.” — Geoffrey Odhiambo Liech, Makongeni business community leader.
Authority’s Defense:
“The ongoing demolitions offend fundamental principles of law and human rights and should therefore be suspended in the interests of all residents.” — Faith Odhiambo, President of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK).
Legal Pushback Intensifies
The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has formally declared its intent to challenge the evictions in court. The LSK contends that the process violates both constitutional protections and international eviction standards — particularly around notice, dignity, and protections for vulnerable groups.
They argue that the five-day eviction notice is too short and that many residents, especially the elderly and families with children, have not been afforded proper safeguards.
Project Vision vs. Social Realities
The blueprint for Makongeni’s redevelopment is ambitious: 75 acres of housing, 12 for commerce, 8 for schools, 5 for health services, 20 for green spaces, and more for civic infrastructure and utilities. Proponents tout this as a model of integrated, sustainable urban renewal that blends community life with modern infrastructure.
Authorities also insist that current residents will have priority to return and purchase units in the new development once construction is complete — a core part of their “people-first” messaging.
But the Stakes Remain High
Despite these promises, many Makongeni residents remain skeptical. For people who have called the estate home for decades — in some cases over 60 years — the emotional, social, and financial risks of relocation are profound. There are real fears not just of losing property, but of losing community ties, heritage, and generational stability.
As the December 2 eviction deadline looms, the Makongeni story is no longer just about land — it is unfolding as a test case for Kenya’s larger affordable housing ambitions and the government’s willingness to balance development with fundamental human rights.
