Confusion and Anger in Karunga After Unlawful Demolition
Residents of Karunga village in Gilgil have been left in shock and anger after a series of demolitions that left seven families homeless. The incident, which occurred during the early hours of the morning, involved police officers supervising the destruction of homes and businesses on what residents claim is their rightful land.
The events unfolded shortly after 1:30 am when a convoy of police vehicles, a bulldozer, and over 30 armed men entered the area. Within hours, homes, livestock shelters, and businesses were reduced to rubble. Residents described the night as one of terror and helplessness.
CCTV footage captured the scene as a bulldozer tore through walls while uniformed police officers stood nearby. By sunrise, the ground was littered with debris and broken furniture, marking what many called the most frightening night of their lives.
Accounts from Victims
Joseph Gitonga, a resident who has lived in the area for 17 years, recounted how the attackers identified themselves as the landowners before destroying property and looting valuables. He described the chaos, saying that the police officers were more than thirty, armed with guns, while the youths carried knives and metal bars.
“I woke up to the sound of a bulldozer crushing my rentals just a few meters from my house. They broke my gate, brought down the fence, and even partially destroyed my main house,” Gitonga said.
His wife, Rahab Wanjiku, shared her harrowing experience, stating that she was assaulted and robbed during the raid. She recalled how the men pulled her into the house and held a knife to her, demanding money.
Next door, Mary Wamuchie and her young child narrowly escaped when a bulldozer crushed part of their home. “When I woke up, stones had fallen onto the bed. I had my child with me. I asked where the child was,” she said, holding back tears.
Farmer Steven Thiru also faced heavy losses after his pigsty and feed store were flattened. He revealed that he incurred losses totaling at least KSh 3.5 million, adding that the animal feed was looted. Some livestock were stoned to death, and a store with food supplies was completely ransacked.
Four residents were injured during the night assault, including James Kang’ethe, who sustained stab wounds while trying to protect his home.
Court Order Misinterpreted?
According to the residents, the demolitions were based on a court order referring to Gilgil Township Block 4/82, located several kilometers away in Gilgil town, while their land sits on Karunga Block 9. They suggest that the order was wrongly interpreted and irregularly enforced, leaving them in the cold.
Court documents indicate that the Tribunal issued an order on October 14, 2025, allowing Telposta Pension Scheme to evict tenants from Block 4/82. The order directed the Gilgil Police Station OCS to oversee compliance.
However, residents insist that police used the same order to justify demolitions in Karunga, an entirely different parcel of land. “Even the order he is showing us has many irregularities. We are on our own land with freehold titles. The area mentioned in the order for demolition is Block 4/82, which is located in town. If the OCS were a competent officer, he would have come to us residents to verify the situation and prevent all this. The order clearly states demolition of Block 4/82, yet our titles are for Karunga Block 9,” Thiru stated.
Lawyer Anthony Mukira, representing the affected families, confirmed that there are two active cases over the disputed land; one at the Court of Appeal and another before a Tribunal. “There is a valid stay order covering Block 9, meaning no demolitions should have happened. We are waiting for the case to be heard at the court of appeal, it may take some time but we are hoping that we will be enlisted for hearing,” Mukira stated.