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{
    "id": 1369195,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1369195/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 374,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Kathiani, WDM",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Robert Mbui",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "production in this country. Therefore, to cover losses and poor business practices, the company now purports to want to sell the land that belongs to the community of Machakos County. That is something we cannot take for granted. It is also good to note that evictions were done without an eviction order given by the court. The case that was taken to court was thrown out on technicalities. The only thing that the judge finally said was that we set a hearing date so that a discussion could take place for the case to be heard. The case was never heard. After it was thrown out on technicalities, the sound of bulldozers and the sound of wailing women and children is what we could hear from that place. It is ironic that 60 years after Independence, people can be thrown out in that manner. It is also notable that Clause 155 of the Land Act indicates that for one to be evicted, there must be two things: One, a court order so that you can be sure that the court process has taken place, and two, a notice of 60 days. Recently, a ruling about the land owned by Gerishon Kirima, the late Hon. Member, was made, and they gave the occupants 60 days. They also opened an opportunity for discussions. That was not the case in Mavoko; that was not the case in our region. It is also good to note that it is on record that there are areas that had land disputes and evictions were to take place, and none other than the Deputy President said that he will not allow evictions to take place in Ol Kalou. Are the people of Mavoko any less than the ones in Ol Kalou? Or is it true that there are people that are shareholders and those that are not? On the inauguration of the Kenya Kwanza Government, very clear information was given to us that Kenyans will now be safe, and no one will have their house brought down due to a land dispute. Shockingly, the worst case in this country's history of demolition of innocent Kenyans' homes has happened only 11 months after the leadership of Kenya Kwanza was sworn into office. I plead that we look at it from this perspective. There may be culpable people, which is why the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) and Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) are getting involved. We know there were letters from long ago asking for people to be investigated, but those whose houses have come down are not guilty of any crime other than purchasing land and putting up a home. Unfortunately, this is happening to our people. The Government should do what was said during the inauguration. Let them take care of those Kenyan hustlers. Let them ensure that those people whose houses were brought down are compensated. Let them not work very hard to put up an abode for their families, and all that goes to waste in a split second. It was also unfortunate and shocking when we saw the East African Portland Cement Company, after bringing down almost 10,000 homes, purporting to want to sell the land to the people who were occupying it. It is unfortunate. It is shocking and something that this House must condemn in the strongest terms possible. It is something that we must say should never happen again in the history of this country. It is a shame to the leaders of this country for this kind of situation to happen many years after Independence. As leaders, we must stand up to be counted. We must defend the rights of the people. We must represent the people. We must legislate on their behalf. In my view, we have enough laws. All that matters now is for us to represent them and say enough is enough, and no further demolitions of innocent Kenyans' homes will take place in this country. Thank you."
}