Angry people from the Korogocho slum attacked a building at the chief's camp on Tuesday. They threw stones at what locals call the RC building, which government workers use. The protesters wanted to stop a new housing project in their area. During the chaos that started around 10 a.m., they left the chief's office and police post untouched.
The violence lasted most of the day. Some people broke into places and stole things. Others damaged property. A local charity became one of their targets. Many residents lost their belongings to thieves who took advantage of the disorder before police stepped in. Someone watching told the Star newspaper that one person got shot in the leg, two were stabbed, and eight motorcycles disappeared from the chief's office yard.
Everything began when residents walked away from a meeting at the Korogocho chief's camp. They had received an invitation to share their thoughts about plans for affordable housing and related construction. This work would help protect, fix up, and beautify the Nairobi River Basin. The Ministry of Defence partnered with Earthcare Services Ltd for this project. When the protests erupted, the people running the meeting ran away or jumped into cars and left quickly.
David Muthama, a 70-year-old man who has lived in Korogocho since he was 20, said residents felt angry because nobody asked for their input over the past 18 years. He blamed the government for forcing projects on them without talking to them first. He claimed officials make decisions in their offices and then tell residents what will happen instead of asking what they need or want.
Muthama explained that people lost homes during an earlier road project but never received the money they were promised. He said the current troubles started with recent flood-related demolitions. Residents who lived within 30 meters of river banks had their houses torn down without compensation. The previous government promised them legal documents for their land but never gave them any. He insisted they deserve good roads, proper sewage systems, and official ownership papers.
The elderly residents also stated they didn't know about the Tuesday meeting. He said they just happened to find people already discussing things, and they couldn't understand what was happening. However, the Star newspaper obtained a copy of an official notice about the event. The document showed the Ministry of Defence and Earthcare Services Ltd did invite community members, affected parties, and key stakeholders to a public consultation meeting about the proposed housing project, scheduled for April 1, 2025, at 9:30 am at the Korogocho chief's camp.
The violence lasted most of the day. Some people broke into places and stole things. Others damaged property. A local charity became one of their targets. Many residents lost their belongings to thieves who took advantage of the disorder before police stepped in. Someone watching told the Star newspaper that one person got shot in the leg, two were stabbed, and eight motorcycles disappeared from the chief's office yard.
Everything began when residents walked away from a meeting at the Korogocho chief's camp. They had received an invitation to share their thoughts about plans for affordable housing and related construction. This work would help protect, fix up, and beautify the Nairobi River Basin. The Ministry of Defence partnered with Earthcare Services Ltd for this project. When the protests erupted, the people running the meeting ran away or jumped into cars and left quickly.
David Muthama, a 70-year-old man who has lived in Korogocho since he was 20, said residents felt angry because nobody asked for their input over the past 18 years. He blamed the government for forcing projects on them without talking to them first. He claimed officials make decisions in their offices and then tell residents what will happen instead of asking what they need or want.
Muthama explained that people lost homes during an earlier road project but never received the money they were promised. He said the current troubles started with recent flood-related demolitions. Residents who lived within 30 meters of river banks had their houses torn down without compensation. The previous government promised them legal documents for their land but never gave them any. He insisted they deserve good roads, proper sewage systems, and official ownership papers.
The elderly residents also stated they didn't know about the Tuesday meeting. He said they just happened to find people already discussing things, and they couldn't understand what was happening. However, the Star newspaper obtained a copy of an official notice about the event. The document showed the Ministry of Defence and Earthcare Services Ltd did invite community members, affected parties, and key stakeholders to a public consultation meeting about the proposed housing project, scheduled for April 1, 2025, at 9:30 am at the Korogocho chief's camp.
