More than 10,000 residents in Kibera’s Soweto Zones C and D have been issued a 13-day eviction notice, as the government moves to pave way for a large-scale urban renewal project.
In a notice seen by Kenyans.co.ke, the Ministry of Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development stated that the eviction is part of the Urban Upgrading Programme, aimed at transforming informal settlements into modern housing.
“This is to inform all residents of Kibera Soweto Zones C and D that site clearing will start on Friday, April 24, 2026. Kindly evacuate the site before April 23, 2026,” read part of the notice issued by the State Department of Housing and Urban Development.
The notice, received by the Deputy County Commissioner of Lang’ata Sub-County on April 7, 2026, is already being circulated among residents.
According to historical data from UN-Habitat and the Kenya Slum Upgrading Programme (KENSUP), Zone C covers 3.6 hectares and hosts about 3,256 residents living in 410 structures, while Zone D spans 4.5 hectares with approximately 4,331 residents across 588 structures. Combined, the two zones support a dense population of nearly 8,350 people, many of whom depend on informal businesses and tight community networks.
The evictions are intended to create space for the construction of modern high-rise apartments under the Affordable Housing Programme. Housing Principal Secretary Charles Hinga has said the new developments will include key amenities such as clean water, electricity, and integrated waste management systems, as well as social infrastructure like early childhood education centres and recreational spaces.
The redevelopment of Zones C and D forms part of a broader plan to deliver up to 25,000 housing units across Kibera, in what is set to be one of the largest urban transformation projects in the country.
While the government has promised that affected residents will be prioritised for relocation and allocation of the new units, concerns remain over the short eviction timeline and the need for a transparent resettlement process.
As the April 23 deadline approaches, the success of the project will largely depend on how authorities manage the transition and maintain trust with the affected community.
In a notice seen by Kenyans.co.ke, the Ministry of Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development stated that the eviction is part of the Urban Upgrading Programme, aimed at transforming informal settlements into modern housing.
“This is to inform all residents of Kibera Soweto Zones C and D that site clearing will start on Friday, April 24, 2026. Kindly evacuate the site before April 23, 2026,” read part of the notice issued by the State Department of Housing and Urban Development.
The notice, received by the Deputy County Commissioner of Lang’ata Sub-County on April 7, 2026, is already being circulated among residents.
According to historical data from UN-Habitat and the Kenya Slum Upgrading Programme (KENSUP), Zone C covers 3.6 hectares and hosts about 3,256 residents living in 410 structures, while Zone D spans 4.5 hectares with approximately 4,331 residents across 588 structures. Combined, the two zones support a dense population of nearly 8,350 people, many of whom depend on informal businesses and tight community networks.
The evictions are intended to create space for the construction of modern high-rise apartments under the Affordable Housing Programme. Housing Principal Secretary Charles Hinga has said the new developments will include key amenities such as clean water, electricity, and integrated waste management systems, as well as social infrastructure like early childhood education centres and recreational spaces.
The redevelopment of Zones C and D forms part of a broader plan to deliver up to 25,000 housing units across Kibera, in what is set to be one of the largest urban transformation projects in the country.
While the government has promised that affected residents will be prioritised for relocation and allocation of the new units, concerns remain over the short eviction timeline and the need for a transparent resettlement process.
As the April 23 deadline approaches, the success of the project will largely depend on how authorities manage the transition and maintain trust with the affected community.