Odinga Family Opposes Planned Demolition of Jaramogi's Eastlands Home

The family of Kenya’s first vice-president Jaramogi Oginga Odinga is against the planned demolition of their property in the Eastlands area of Nairobi.

The two-storey house located in Jerusalem estate is among old structures earmarked for demolition in the ongoing urban renewal program by the government.

The house was built by the Israeli government in the 60s and it's where Jaramogi, the father of ODM leader Raila Odinga, lived for decades.

Evelyne Awino Ogola, a granddaughter of Jaramogi who currently lives in the house, says destroying the property amounts to erasing part of Kenya’s history.

She notes that the house is of sentimental value to the family, adding that they did not change its ownership even after the death of her grandfather in 1994.

Evelyne says she fears curses may befall the Odinga family if the home, which forms parts of their roots is demolished. 

She wants the government to instead gazette the property as a historical site in honor of Jaramogi, who contributed immensely to the country’s liberation struggle.

“He (Jaramogi) 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,” Evelyne told K24.

Asked why she prefers to live in the Eastlands home yet the family owns posh houses across the country, Evelyne said, “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 indicated that her uncle Raila visits the house, especially during the campaign trail, and hosts his supporters there.

The Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) plans to construct 62,000 highrise apartments to replace the old estates under the Eastlands Urban Renewal Plan.