11/04/2025
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 arriving at the site in a fury, 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.
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 being 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 their lives forever changed because of it.
Isiolo county governor Abdi Ibrahim Guyo who spoke at a different function later told residents not to allow demolations to take place.
The governor who issued land allotment letters at the function said residents should torch tractors if they show up for such demolitions
