Isiolo Residents Count Losses After Shocking Demolitions
Chaos descended on Chechelesi Estate in Isiolo early this morning after bulldozers rolled in and flattened five homes—without prior warning, residents say.
At dawn, the sound of metal against stone jolted sleeping families awake. Within minutes, homes that had stood for decades were reduced to rubble. Perimeter walls crumbled, rooftops caved in, and lifelong possessions were buried under debris, as excavators and over 60 armed police officers oversaw the demolitions.
A distraught Stephene Eloto said he has lived on his premises for over twenty years. Standing next to the remains of his house Eloto said that he had never received any court order; or been in any legal dispute with anyone. “ I don’t even know who this complainant is apart from his name.”
Residents described the operation as abrupt and brutal. Sadia Abdullahi, whose home was also destroyed, said they had long been harassed and threatened, but never imagined it would come to this.
“This wasn’t just about land. This was about lives, homes, memories. We were never even given a chance to defend ourselves.” Said Sadia.
The demolitions sparked outrage across the estate, with residents capturing dramatic scenes on video.
One particularly viral clip showed Isiolo County Governor Abdi Ibrahim Guyo in a fury at Isiolo police station, demanding that the demolitions be stopped.
In the video, Governor Guyo confronts the Isiolo Police Station OCS, accusing him of unlawfully supporting the demolitions.
According to locals, the man behind the demolitions has long claimed ownership of the land, but no official court ruling has ever been communicated to the residents.
The lack of legal clarity—and the involvement of police—has fueled fears that powerful forces may be at play.
Samson Namdam, Nura Diba, Stepehene Eloto, Abdikadir Golicha were all affected in todays demolitions despite never having been in a court proceeding with the complainant.
Adan Guyo, a local youth leader, warned that tensions are rising. “People are angry. Next time, we won’t be this calm. We cannot watch our homes destroyed like this again.”
The community is now calling for a formal investigation into the demolitions and legal clarity on land ownership of land in Chechelesi.
Meanwhile, the ruins of their homes serve as a grim reminder of the chaos that unfolded in a single morning—and the lives forever changed because of it.
Isiolo county Governor Abdi Ibrahim Guyo later at a meeting in Burat where he issued one thousand land allotment letters, commented on the issue of demolitions. The governor warned land grabbers and called on residents to show no mercy to house demolishers and grabbers even if they produce court orders.
“I want to issue a warning on land grabbers who are coming to Isiolo with fake documents, we will burn you together with your tractors!” Said the governor.