Clocking day 10, demolitions on land belonging to the East Africa Portland Cement Company situated in Athi-river, Mavoko Sub County Machakos County has witnessed a lucrative scrap metals business.
Unlike before when the exercise was being overseen by tens of GSU officers armed to the teeth only a handful of regular police officers are overseeing the exercise.
Lucrative business
A once vibrant lucrative business zone characterized by palatial homes has been reduced to a shell of itself dominated by tens of youths thronging the area to salvage scrap metals.
The demolitions on the 4,268 acre piece which was previously claimed by the Aimi Ma Lukenya Society who lost a court case are now complete. Demolitions have extended to other non-contested parcels of land which Portland say are illegally occupied.
“We eye to reclaim our entire parcel of land occupied by illegal settlers. We will utilize the land for other uses apart from the parcels we have earmarked for selling,” said Oliver Kirubai the company MD.
Jubilant youth salvaging for scrap metals and usable building stones say the demolitions are a blessing in disguise to them. They cite a lack of employment as the major cause of their looting spree.
“You can see for yourself that there is a big problem going by the number of youths who are here to collect scrap metals. We as youths are struggling to make ends meet due to unemployment. The government should come here and witness how serious unemployment is in our country, “Mutura Maweu said.
Metal dealers
A kilo of metals is now selling at between Ksh 50 and Ksh 60 with metal dealers standby with lorries buying the steel rods and other scrap metals.
The youths say to have reaped big in an area that was occupied by refugees who instead fled to unknown places when demolitions commenced. The refugees had bought the land through church donations and lived a communal life set up.
“The refugees who lived here fled without salvaging anything including household items. We took the chance to gain forceful entry into the houses and salvaged anything we could before the bulldozers roared on the houses. There is a ready market of scrap metals and second-hand items, “John Wesonga said.
Those displaced continue decrying the manner the exercise was carried out terming it as inhumane.
Some say the ongoing DCI complaints open desk set up at Athi-river will not yield any results saying poor victims who have been affected are likely not to benefit from compensation in case the fraudsters are directed to compensate the damages.
According to an officer at the complaint desk, at least over 200 victims of the demolitions have launched complaints and recorded statements over the same.
Land owned, seller of the land, amount of money paid, mode of payment, sale agreement and value of property demolished are the key information the victims are required to give and provide supporting evidence.
