Municipal Authorities Accuse Nema of Illegal Evictions The municipal authorities of Nairobi have accused the National Environment Management Authority (Nema) of conducting illegal evictions in the city. The accusations stem from a recent incident where Nema demolished several structures in the Kibera slum, reportedly without following due process. According to the authorities, Nema failed to obtain the necessary permits and court orders before carrying out the demolitions. They also allege that no proper notice was given to the affected residents, who were forced to leave their homes with nowhere to go. “Nema’s actions were arbitrary and unlawful,” said John Wainaina, the chairman of the Nairobi Municipal Assembly. “They disregarded the rights of residents and created a humanitarian crisis.” The accusations have sparked outrage among human rights groups and community leaders. The Kenya National Human Rights Commission (KNHCR) condemned the evictions, saying they violated the constitution and international law. “The people of Kibera have a right to housing and cannot be evicted without due process,” said KNHCR chairperson Makau Mutua. “Nema must be held accountable for its actions.” Nema has defended its actions, arguing that the structures it demolished were illegal and encroached on public land. The authority said it had given sufficient notice to the residents and that they had failed to comply with orders to vacate the area. “We have a duty to protect the environment and ensure public safety,” said Nema director general James Gitimu. “The structures we demolished posed a danger to the community and had no legal basis to be there.” The allegations of illegal evictions have cast a shadow over Nema’s work. The authority has been praised for its efforts to protect the environment, but it has also faced criticism for its heavy-handed approach to enforcement. The incident in Kibera has raised important questions about the balance between environmental protection and the rights of urban residents. It is crucial that authorities find ways to address environmental concerns while respecting the dignity and rights of those affected by their actions.KCCA Accuses NEMA of Illegal Evictions in Lubigi WetlandKCCA Accuses NEMA of Illegal Evictions in Lubigi Wetland Kampala Capital Authorities (KCCA), led by Mayor Erias Lukwago, have denounced the National Environmental Management Authority (Nema) for allegedly conducting illegal evictions in the Lubigi wetland, a suburb of Kampala. Mayor Lukwago contends that the evictions contravene the Nema Act 2019, specifically Section 26, which mandates the formation of a District Environmental Management Committee to oversee natural resource management. He questioned Nema’s actions, emphasizing that no such committee had been established. According to Lukwago, the committee should comprise the mayor, members of parliament, city resident commissioners, the environment secretary, the district natural resources officer, and other key officials. He explained that the committee’s role is to deliberate on environmental management issues before carrying out demolitions. Lukwago criticized Nema for attempting to demolish structures without involving the committee and accused them of being reluctant to convene it. Despite pressure from KCCA, Nema allegedly failed to hold a scheduled meeting due to the absence of the CEO, Barirega Akankwasah. KCCA, in collaboration with Kawempe Divisional Mayor Emmanuel Serunjogi, plans to confront Nema officials today to demand answers. They argue that Section 158 of the Nema Act prohibits actions without an established environmental management system, and Section 130 allows Nema to issue restoration orders only in the presence of such a committee. Deputy Mayor Doreen Nyanjura urged residents to resist Nema’s alleged intimidation tactics. Mayor Serunjogi warned of protests if low-income residents are evicted, stating that it would lead to homelessness. David Luzindana, president of Katoogo Zone, reported that five houses had been marked for eviction and that many more were at risk. He emphasized that one resident whose house was marked has a property title and that the evictions could leave 37,000 people in Katoogo alone homeless.Municipal authorities in [City Name] have accused the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) of carrying out illegal evictions in the city. The authorities claim that NEMA has been demolishing structures without proper notice or compensation, leaving residents homeless and desperate. According to the municipal authorities, NEMA has been targeting informal settlements and low-income communities, which are often home to vulnerable and marginalized people. The authorities argue that NEMA’s actions are discriminatory and violate the residents’ rights to housing and due process. “NEMA is acting with impunity,” said a spokesperson for the municipal authorities. “They are destroying people’s homes without any regard for their rights. We demand that they stop these illegal evictions immediately.” NEMA, however, has defended its actions, claiming that the demolitions are necessary to enforce environmental regulations and protect public health. The authority says that it has been following due process and providing adequate notice to residents before carrying out any evictions. “We are not going to tolerate the construction of illegal structures in environmentally sensitive areas,” said a spokesperson for NEMA. “We have a duty to protect the environment and ensure the well-being of our citizens.” The conflict between the municipal authorities and NEMA has sparked outrage among residents and human rights groups. Several protests have been held in the city, demanding an end to the evictions and compensation for those who have been affected. The municipal authorities have vowed to continue fighting against NEMA’s illegal evictions. They have filed a lawsuit against the authority and are seeking an injunction to stop the demolitions. The case is expected to be heard in court in the coming weeks.