Portland evictions are ungodly! Raila slams Ruto after being denied access
Raila Odinga, the leader of Azimio La Umoja, has deemed the ongoing evictions at East African Portland Cement Company (EAPCC) to be immoral.
The opposition criticized President William Ruto when he visited the site for permitting the injustice to continue under his watch.
“What is going on here is ungodly. During Ruto’s campaign in July 2022, he had promised to abolish unlawful demolitions in the country this is exactly what he is doing,” he said.
The procedure, according to Raila, is a gross violation of human rights and the right to adequate housing.
“This is coming at a time when the government is pushing to have everyone in the country have good shelter. What is going on here indicates a systematic disregard of recognized human rights standards,” he said.
He added that the most affected are the poorest of the impoverished and the rising middle class, whose life savings have been reduced to ashes.
“Children who are learning in some of the schools here have seen their school going down despite upcoming national examinations. The eviction has taken place just as the rains are coming in, and left without alternative accommodation and essential needs,” he noted.Â
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Raila also claimed that the evictions were accompanied by excessive use of force by police and local authorities, who intended to inflict human suffering and harm.
“There have been reports of injuries, and theft of property belonging to the people who are suffering from loss.”
He urged the government to have a plan for the afflicted people’s resettlement.
“What was the urge to use force? Why not allow people to move out peacefully, let us say next year? We are talking about people who most likely used the company cement to construct houses only for the houses to be demolished by the same company,” he said.
Raila stated that as the opposition, they will not allow the procedure to proceed without opposition.
“This brutality will not go unchallenged, we need the government to act.”
The authorities denied the opposition leader access to the premises, citing an ongoing process that must be concluded before his visit.
He was accompanied by several dignitaries, including Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, Machakos governor Wavinya Ndeti, ODM secretary general Edwin Sifuna, and Stewart Madzayo.Â
Portland evictions are ungodly! Raila slams Ruto after being denied access