Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has criticised the government over ongoing demolitions in parts of the capital, questioning why the operations are being conducted at night despite earlier campaign promises by President William Ruto to end the practice.
Sifuna said the administration had assured voters during the campaign period that the era of nighttime demolitions would come to an end, arguing that the current approach contradicts commitments made to the public on transparency and fairness.
During the 2022 campaign trail, President William Ruto had repeatedly pledged that his administration would stop demolitions carried out under the cover of darkness and ensure that any urban enforcement action would be conducted in a humane and orderly manner, with affected residents given time to salvage their property.
“During the campaign season, this administration assured the public that the era of nighttime demolitions would come to an end,” Sifuna said. “If these demolitions are truly in the interest of the people, why are they carried out under the cover of darkness?”
He added that demolitions conducted at night deny affected residents the opportunity to salvage their belongings and prepare adequately, calling for a more transparent and humane approach to urban development.
“Why not conduct them in daylight and give individuals the opportunity to salvage their property?” he posed.
The senator said development projects must be inclusive and respect the rights and dignity of citizens, warning that enforcement actions carried out without public engagement risk undermining trust in government institutions.
“Development should be inclusive, engaging and respecting the people it is meant to serve,” he said.
The remarks come amid renewed political debate over land use, urban planning, and enforcement operations in informal settlements and trading areas, where demolitions have in recent weeks sparked public anger and criticism from sections of leaders.
Government agencies, however, maintain that the operations are aimed at restoring order, removing illegal structures, and protecting riparian and public land, insisting that the interventions are necessary despite public concern over their timing and execution.
