Nairobi Woodley Estate residents decry illegal eviction and harassment by goons, demand police intervention

Nairobi Woodley Estate residents have petitioned the police, claiming that goons allegedly working with Nairobi County officials have been forcibly entering their homes, stealing property and issuing threats amid an unresolved housing dispute.

The tenants say court orders meant to protect them from eviction are being ignored, leading to violent break-ins and mounting insecurity.

In a letter dated July 10, 2025, the residents, through their legal representatives, Frank Karanja & Company Advocates, wrote to Nairobi Regional Police Commander George Seda requesting urgent intervention and expanded police support in the estate.

“Our clients are the lawful tenants of County houses situated in the Woodley/Joseph Kang’ethe Estate, Nairobi. Many have been residents in these homes for decades, with some being tenant-purchasers of the houses they currently occupy,” reads the letter.

The dispute traces back to early 2025 when the County Government raised concerns over rent arrears. However, the tenants say the arrears were officially waived under Gazette Notice No. 2728 Vol. CXXIII-No. 5, which remains legally in force.

“Earlier this year, a dispute arose between our clients and the County Government concerning rent arrears, which have been waived through a Gazette Notice… Our clients, through their officials, instituted proceedings in the High Court—Judicial Review No. E030 of 2025, Woodley Development Initiative CBO v. Nairobi City County and County Chief Officer Housing & Urban Renewal—seeking orders to compel the implementation of the said Gazette Notice and for a joint account reconciliation,” reads the letter.

Despite multiple status quo orders issued by the High Court barring any evictions until the matter is resolved, the residents claim these directives have been consistently defied.

“The High Court has on several occasions issued status quo orders restraining any eviction of our clients pending the hearing and determination of the matter. Regrettably, these directives have not been adhered to. Our clients have reported multiple incidents, orchestrated by the County, in which county-enabled goons have forcibly entered their residences, leading to massive theft and destruction of property,” the letter adds.

The advocates further disclosed that they have filed an application for contempt of court against County Chief Officer for Housing and Urban Renewal, Lydia Mathia, “seeking to hold her personally liable for disobedience of court orders and the unlawful acts perpetrated under her direction.”

The court is expected to issue a ruling on the application in early October.

In the meantime, the residents say they have continued to face rising insecurity and intimidation. According to the letter, unknown individuals claiming recent allocation of the disputed homes have been showing up with threats and forceful eviction attempts, despite tenants holding legal occupancy.

“Our clients continue to endure significant hardship, including recurrent theft and threats from individuals claiming to have been newly allocated their homes, despite our clients’ lawful tenancy,” the advocates wrote.

The incidents have been reported at Kibera Police Station, where investigations are underway. The tenants commended the officers for their conduct amid difficult circumstances.

“We wish to express our appreciation for the commendable assistance and professionalism exhibited by officers at the station, who have persevered in their duties despite undue pressures,” reads the letter.

However, the residents’ lawyers urged the regional commander to boost resources at Kibera Police Station to support the investigations and enable rapid response when violent incidents involving “county-enabled goons” occur.

“We respectfully request that your office provide any additional support and resources—be it personnel or facilitation—as may be necessary to enable a timely and effective response, particularly when incidents involving these county-enabled goons, and also accompanied by some employees, arise,” reads the letter.

They also called for the scope of investigations to be broadened to include those “claiming recent allocation of our clients’ residences, while the status of lawful tenancy remains unchanged.”

The same concerns were recently raised at the Nairobi County Assembly by Woodley MCA Davidson “DNG” Ngibuini, who demanded answers from the executive on the floor of the House.

“Are the remaining 22 tenants who went to court to challenge the demolitions going to be compensated or relocated, and will they receive allotment letters like the others?” he posed.

Ngibuini also questioned the county’s oversight, asking whether it had any mechanisms to investigate and hold accountable individuals behind the alleged intimidation and unauthorised evictions.

Woodley Residents Association Chairperson, Sam Gachago, claimed that tensions heightened after the county shifted its redevelopment plans from an initial 10 acres to the entire 100-acre estate.

“Initially, 10 acres were earmarked for affordable housing, affecting 22 bungalows and 20 flats—42 tenants in total. About 20 accepted the county’s Sh900,000 compensation. The remaining 22 are still appealing for payment,” Gachago explained.

The compensation, according to the residents, includes Sh15,000 monthly support for 36 months, totalling Sh900,000. But several tenants rejected the offer, citing inflation, slow progress in construction and lack of clear relocation procedures.

While the county accuses the tenants of living rent-free for years despite reminders to pay, the residents argue that a rent waiver issued by former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko in April 2019 remains legally binding.

“We request that the waiver by Sonko be respected, and any rent arrears considered only from May 2019. The county should engage us in good faith to resolve the arrears, not use them as grounds for eviction,” the residents said.