One of the homes of former Vice President the late Jaramogi Oginga odinga is among those facing demolition in Nairobi’s Eastlands area, as part of the government’s plan to upgrade and build modern houses in the city.
The home located in Jerusalem area was constructed by Israelis and housed Oginga decades ago.
According to one Oginga Odinga’s granddaughter Evelyne Awino Ogola; who now occupies the home, demolishing the property amounts to erasing part of Kenya’s history.
She says the home is sentimental to them, adding that the family has not changed the ownership of the property, even though Oginga Odinga died several years ago.
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The late Mzee Jaramogi Ogina Odinga and a section of his family. [Photo: Courtesy]
According to her, curses may descend on the Odinga family if the home that forms parts of their roots is demolished. She has urged the government and other relevant authorities to consider gazetting the home as a historical site, rather than demolishing it.
“He (Jaramogi Oginga Odinga) will drop dead immediately if he wakes up and finds the spot his three-roomed house the Israel government built in the 60s stood on is replaced by a skyscraper,” she told a local daily.
Explaining why she prefers staying at the Eastlands home yet the family owns huge properties across the country, Evelyne noted that: “My grandfather was a humble personality who preferred to live a simple life. His humility inspires the family. The leafy suburbs have their owners.”
She divulged that her uncle former Prime Minister Raila Odinga stops by once in a while, especially during the campaign trail and hosts his supporters.
Other prominent leaders who had homes in the area include; Bildad Kaggia and former Presidents; Mwai Kibaki, the late Mzee Daniel Moi among others.
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