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Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko on Thursday issued orders to stop demolitions of illegal buildings.
Speaking at City Hall, Sonko stated that the process had been temporarily stopped until the completion of the festive season.
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“I have today declared that no more buildings will demolished until after the festive season is over. We cannot make families in Nairobi homeless during the festive season when everyone is expecting us to give them peace and a conducive environment for the holidays,” stated Sonko.
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The directive by the Governor comes two days after property worth millions was brought down at Nyama Villa Estate in Kayole, Nairobi.
The controversial politician revealed that the decision to halt the operation was arrived at after consultations with President Uhuru Kenyatta who is currently in Austria for the Africa-Europe 2018 Forum.
Sonko visits Kayole area
The once Senator of Nairobi later visited the area and ordered the bulldozers to leave.
“I don’t want to see the hired bulldozers on site until we resolve this matter.
"I know the courts approved the demolitions but on grounds of humanity we cannot torture our fellow citizens especially during this festive season.
"This matter should be done in a humane way and in accordance with the law,” remarked the Nairobi Governor.
The families affected during the Tuesday operations, claimed that they were not served with an eviction notice.
Embakasi Central MP Benjamin Gathiru had been arrested after he attempted to stop demolitions.
Gathiru’s efforts to demand to see a notice to the tenants were futile as he was roughed up and thrown into a police car.
Reports indicated that the estate which is a 20-acre piece, was flattened due to it being located in a land that belongs to a private developer.