By Betty Luke
More than 10 children have gone missing following forceful evictions effected by police officers in Mwangaza on Sunday morning on a disputed parcel of land.
The evictions, reports indicate, followed a court order that the residents claim to have no idea about.
Several locals who spoke to The Press Point said they had not received any notice requiring them to vacate the area, that they say have known as home for more than four decades, despite there being an active case in court.
Residents said they were woken up by bulldozers during the 3AM incident forcing them to flee for their safety.
Several school-going children have since been reported missing with parents calling upon well-wishers to move with haste and help them trace them.
Ms Loreen Nkatha’s four children disappeared while she struggled to ensure safety for her months-old child and are yet to be traced.
“We wonder why they would conduct the demolitions at night while we are asleep. We do not even know where some of our children are,” said the distraught mother of five.
Destruction caused at Mwangaza in Isiolo following the August 22, 2021 forceful eviction. PHOTO/PRESS POINT
The eviction destroyed over 50 homes affecting more than 300 residents who had temporary and permanent homes in the area.
Mr Erick Mwenda said their home and the grave of their late mother were destroyed as they watched helplessly.
Efforts to save their belongings from the houses were futile as police officers did not allow them to move out with a single item.
“My house was broken and I have lost everything. They (police officers) barred us from carrying anything,” Mr Mwenda narrated amid tears.
The irate locals responded by hurling stones at the officers before torching down the bulldozer that was used to effect the demolitions.
They later demolished a nearby perimeter wall on land reportedly belonging to a senior county official.
Desperate Ann Wambui accused authorities of being inhumane saying they (locals) had never seen the one who claimed ownership of the land in question.
“He has never appeared in court and we do not know him,” Ms Wambui told The Press Point.
Some of the affected Mwangaza residents address journalists in the area on August-22, 2021. PHOTO/PRESS POINT
Local leaders have condemned the evictions saying it was unfortunate that the locals were made destitute at a time when they continue to face hard economic times resulting from Coronavirus.
Isiolo North Mp aspirant Ms Lucy Mworia called upon the county government and well-wishers to move with haste and help the residents whose hope continues to dim.
“We are appealing to the well-wishers to assist the families because they have nothing to eat, nowhere to sleep and some of them have young children,” said Ms Mworia.
Isiolo Deputy Governor Dr Abdi Issa appealed to the affected families not to take the law into their hands and promised to ensure no resident is illegally displaced from their homes.
Dr Issa lashed out at police officers for using excessive force while conducting the exercise.
“Police should not use excessive force against human beings who they should be protecting,” he said.
