Kenya: slum demolitions halted

Yesterday, the threatened demolition of thousands of homes in Nairobi was postponed as the Minister of Energy Ochillo Ayacko announced a 40-day extension to allow residents to vacate areas under electricity lines - the Catholic Information Service Africa report. "This extension follows our consultations with civic and religious leaders from the areas affected," he said. Leading the interdenominational prayers at Uhuru Park on Sunday, the Catholic archbishop of Nairobi Raphael Ndingi Mwana a' Nzeki urged the government to hold urgent consultations with the slum residents who said they fully supported the government plans to improve the city, but were concerned about the violation of their rights. "Since commencement of the demolitions, we have not been informed of relevant procedures, compensation strategies and the contentious subject of relocation," he said. It is estimated that up to half of Nairobi's three million people live in the city's 160 slums. Source: CISA