Hundreds Left Homeless In Msambweni, Kwale County As Goons Demolish Houses Under Police Supervision
Hundreds of families in Gazi village, Kwale County, have been left homeless
By Athuman Said, Kwale county
Hundreds of families in Gazi village, Kwale County, have been left homeless after armed goons descended on the settlement and demolished houses under the watch of police officers who stood by without intervention. The violent incident, has sparked outrage and deep frustration among residents, especially as the long rains begin across the coastal region.
The attackers, reportedly armed with crude weapons including machetes, hammers, and iron bars, stormed the village in what is believed to be a land dispute. Witnesses say the demolition was carried out systematically and without warning, leaving women, children, and the elderly scrambling for safety as their homes were reduced to rubble.
“We are in shock. How can people destroy homes like this in broad daylight while the police just look on? Where are we supposed to go now that the rains have started?” said a victim, who was devastated not knowing what to do or where to go.
According to reports, more than 300 households have been affected, with many families now forced to seek shelter in schools, under trees, or in overcrowded public facilities. The timing of the incident has worsened the situation, as the rainy season is already underway, increasing the risk of disease outbreaks such as cholera, malaria, and respiratory infections due to exposure to cold and unsanitary conditions.
Community leaders and human rights activists have condemned the demolitions and accused the police of abetting the violence through inaction. “What happened in Gazi is a humanitarian crisis in the making. It is unacceptable that law enforcement officers watched as people’s homes were destroyed. The government must take responsibility,” said a Kwale-based human rights advocate.
The residents have reported that this is not the first time residents of Gazi have faced eviction threats, with claims that private developers are targeting the land for commercial purposes. However, most residents say they have lived on the land for generations and hold ancestral claims to it.
Local officials have promised to investigate the incident, but residents are skeptical, saying such promises have been made before with little follow-up.
As the rains continue to pound the coast, the urgent need for humanitarian assistance is growing. Families are in desperate need of food, bedding, clothing, and medical care. Aid organizations are calling on both county and national governments to provide immediate relief and to launch an independent probe into the incident.
“This is not just about homes; it’s about dignity, safety, and justice,” said Hassan Mwinyi, a local teacher helping coordinate relief efforts. “We urge the government to act before this turns into a full-blown disaster.”
Residents are now calling the area mp , Feisal badder and the county Governor, Fatuma Achani to intervene for the matter and demand for an answer for such an inhuman action.
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