Many Kenyans lost properties worth millions after Nairobi’s Lunar Park got demolished. The demolition process occurred yesterday (15th September) overnight as the Kenya Railways went ahead to reclaimed land. It was stated to be for the construction of Nairobi Expressway Road Project.
Police officers kept vigil at the entrance of the park, only allowing hotel owners’ entry to the park so that they could consult the head office of Kenya Railways.
A senior police officer spoke to Business Daily reporter saying, “We are not allowing anybody into these premises. Only hotel workers. Any other party affected can get in touch with Kenya Railways.
Many business owners woke up to flattened grounds having lost a big fortunes and demanded for compensation. General Mohamed Badi, Director of Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS), headed to the site this morning and assured people that a common agreement would be reached.
There was an eight hour ejection notice that had been issued by the Kenya Railways Staff Retirement Benefits Scheme (KRSRBS) to the business owners on 15th September. In this notice, KRSRBS had warned business owners that there would be forceful eviction if anyone failed to evacuate. “We hereby issue you with an 8 hours’ notice to vacate the premises failure to which you will be forcefully ejected without further reference to you,” stated the KRSRBS acting managing director Pharis Ngotho.
Lunar Park Traders Association Chairman Clifford Ngwala spoke to the press on Tuesday stating that they are legitimate business owners of the park for the past 10 years. They always paid rent without failing hence demanding for compensation.
The multibillion project of the construction of the road was launched on October last year. It is expected to run for three years. The aim the road is easing traffic congestion in Nairobi since the road will link Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) to Nairobi- Nakuru Highway.
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