In Kenya, around ten civil rights activists were arrested on Wednesday May 8 in Nairobi. Police raided the Mathare Center for Social Justice, the capital’s oldest slum. Earlier in the morning, the police had dispersed the start of a demonstration, while residents wanted to protest against the forced displacements imposed by the authorities. This is to prevent flooding.
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With our correspondent in Nairobi, Gaëlle Laleix
Joseph’s eyes are still swollen from the tear gas. On Wednesday morning, he demonstrated to say “ No » to the evictions in Mathare. Joseph has lost his house in the floodsand the small tin shack in which he found refuge should soon also be destroyed by the public authorities.
“ The police attacked us and what they did was wrong. Because we were just asking for our rights and our protest was peaceful. You see, that’s our camp. There are 20 of us sleeping in a very small room and then you want to come and demolish these houses? Where can we go ? They must listen to us, we are the people. »
A few hours after the demonstration was dispersed, the police carried out an operation in the Center for Social Justice in Mathare. For Wanjira Wanjiru, one of its members, the authorities want to silence dissenting voices.
“ We wonder why the government treats us like its sworn enemy when it is supposed to protect us. We see the police arriving with their bulldozers. Some people died during these forced displacements, a child died in Mukuru, a child! During an escape! Every time there is an eviction, the government lies and says it has a relocation plan. »
On Monday May 6, President William Ruto promised 10,000 shillings in aid, or around 70 euros, for displaced people. This while waiting for a more lasting solution.
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