Mavoko Demolitions: 33 Churches To Be Levelled After Grace Period To Salvage Valuables
The deafening roar of these bulldozers has subsided after 10 days of relentlessly demolishing homes on this vast land, affecting between 8,000 and 10,000 families.
The extent of dissipation and the consequences for the displaced homeowners are incomprehensible.
On a typical Sunday, Holy Vision Centre worshippers would load this church to capacity.
Inside, we encountered a countable number of congregants conversing in low tones as they stood to recite their prayers; there were no chairs or equipment, as was their custom every Sunday.
The bishop informs us that his church will be demolished along with 33 others on the county estate.
“Kusema ukweli, hautjui tutafanya nini, kwa maana sasa, kila mtu kwa sababu kila mtu anaokoa kenye anaweza okoa kwa sababu ukiangalia hata hapa washirika wetu wote wamehama na kila mtu ameenda,” Bishop Theophilus Kithome says.
Near the Holy Vision Centre is the Jesus Magnifying Centre, which, unlike Kithome’s Church, was conducting services.
Despite uncertainty hovering over their heads, a sizeable number of worshippers attended the service, as their church is also on the list of those to be demolished.
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Despite the uncertainty, Pastor James Mwaniki, who conducted today’s service, is optimistic that these places of worship will be saved.
“Tukapewa ripoti kwamba Kanisa haibomolewi, hatuelewi ni kwa kipindi gani. Kama jinsi ambavyo mnaweza kuona hapa imeaffect kwa maana watu wengi wameenda ingawa leo tumekuja kuabudu leo kwa maana mungu ndio kipaumbele,” Mwaniki says.
The Whiteland Community School is also severely damaged by bulldozers. The school, which is normally anticipated to have students beginning on Monday, is vacant and will remain so, as no students are expected to return.
In the midst of devastation and abandonment, these young Kenyans scavenge for metals to sell on the underground market. They represent the scourge of unemployment in Kenya.
“Mimi mkazi wa huku na hatungeacha chuma hapa, ju hatuna Mboka [kazi]. Nilimaliza shule last year na sina kazi. Mimi huku narauka kila siku, kama nimeandikwa, nakuja nitafute,” one unemployed youth, Ronald Kamula says.
Beyond the silence of the bulldozers, it will be a daunting challenge for the displaced community to rebuild after the demolition began ten days ago.
Mavoko Demolitions: 33 Churches To Be Levelled After Grace Period To Salvage Valuables
