West Kenya Sugar Company chairman Jaswant Singh Rai faced a significant setback as his opulent residence and rental property in Kakamega town were razed to make room for the government’s affordable housing initiative.
The demolition, executed by bulldozers accompanied by law enforcement officers, unfolded at 7 am in the State Lodge neighborhood of Kakamega’s leafy Milimani suburb.
This forceful eviction transpired in accordance with a seven-day notice, dated September 6, served on Rai.
President William Ruto had inaugurated the affordable housing project for Kakamega in Milimani estate during his recent visit to the region in September.
Rai’s ownership of the developed property originated from his acquisition of the West Kenya Sugar Company from Sunil Patel, the heir of Bikkhu Patel.
The plot, initially allocated to former cabinet minister Joshua Angatia by Kanu, had been subsequently sold to Bikkhu, who undertook its development.
Simultaneously, bulldozers also leveled retired land valuer Odongo Kabita’s rental apartments in the Milimani Block 2 section within Kakamega Municipality.
This move has triggered a series of civil suits filed at the Kakamega High Court to challenge the demolitions.
Western regional commissioner Samson Macharia affirmed that the demolitions would persist beyond the expiration of the seven-day notice, despite legal challenges.
“There are some who have challenged the eviction notices in court. But the exercise will continue,” Macharia stated.
Adding a personal touch to the saga, a Kakamega High Court judge, who happened to be a tenant of Rai, along with two tortoises and a python residing in the magnate’s lavish home, now find themselves seeking alternative abodes post-demolition.
Rai’s agents acted swiftly to relocate the tortoises and snake just in time, averting potential interference from officers of the Kenya Wildlife Service.
As the dust settles on Kakamega’s demolitions, a dozen civil suits promise a legal battle, reflecting the contentious nature of the government’s pursuit of affordable housing projects in the area.
The ripple effects of these demolitions, coupled with legal wrangling, continue to unfold, making Kakamega a focal point of property rights debates and development initiatives.
