Evictions are a rather difficult subject. They are informed by two very different schools of opinion! One is the inherent need for everyone to have a place for a home. And to feel secure thereon regardless of method of entry! The other is the need for those who own land to enjoy secure rights, without intrusion from unauthorized persons. The convergence is elusive. Tweeter posts on the matter during the recent Kariobangi evictions illustrate. “It’s inhuman to evict them”, one said. “Encroaching public land was, is and will ever remain a criminal offence”, countered another.
So why do evictions occur? Some genuinely landless people will move into any vacant land they find and occupy. First they stake out to see whether the owner would intervene. But with time, feeling confident that no one bothers, they build shelter and stay.
