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Police have today clashed with Makongeni residents along Jogoo Road after Kenya Railway Retirement Benefits Scheme invaded the residence to effect eviction and installation a new security firm.
There has been a protracted battle over the proposed change of the security of the residence.
According to reports when residents realised that KRSRBS were going to effect the plan to change the Security firm, they quickly mobilized and engaged the police in running battles for the better part of the morning.
Police lobbied teargas canister to dispersed the residents after the unrest gained momentum.
“We shall not allow anyone to evict us without following the law on 17th we got a court order stoppoing this evictions but the scheme plus the police have refused to obey the court orders,” tenants lamented.
According to Makongeni MCA Peter Imwatok he secured a court order restraining the scheme from eviction of tenants untill the hearings on 31st May 2021.
“Am shocked they want to evict our people yet the court order is in place and they were served on time ..let the new CEO at the scheme obey the law because as it is tenants are going nowhere untill the court determine this matter.” Imwatok said.
The court order seen by Taarifa News reads “The application dated 17th May 2021 considered as urgent prayer 2 granted in the interim let the application be served for inter party hearing before Hon Muholi on 31st May 2021.”
Kenya Railways Retirement Benefits Scheme wants all tenants occupying their houses to pay all impending arrears in total and that the scheme also install a security company to man the residence.
In the petition filed at Milimani Commercial Court 4800 tenants want that pending the hearing and determination of the application the Kenya Railways Retirement Benefits scheme be compelled to provide sewerage systems, water supply and toilet facilities, perimeter fence, garbage collection and other social amenities used by the residents
The Makongeni Residents are also demanding an audit of all exorbitant charges before they pay the pending arrears.
“Pending the hearing and determination the 1st respondents’ notice to the plaintiffs herein demanding for the payment of exorbitant arrears be stayed,” petition reads in part.