The planned restoration of the Nairobi River corridor could run into headwinds with some residents set to be affected by the programme demanding compensation before relocating.
In their petition tabled before the Senate, the Korogocho Community Forum, from Ruaraka Constituency, wants the Senate to launch investigations into the ongoing evictions along the Nairobi River, terming the exercise “inhumane”.
The residents, led by Allan Masika, said Nairobi County has failed to show any commitment to compensate those who will be affected by the impending eviction.
Consequently, they want the Senate to step in and stop the ongoing evictions, which they say is being done without affected residents being compensated.
They also want the Senate to make recommendations on compensation to those already evicted and those who will be affected by future evictions, while also ensuring that any evictions are humane in nature.
The petitioners said the Governor Johnson Sakaja-led administration has shown unwillingness to listen to their grievances.
The residents claimed that residents who were evicted during an earlier eviction phase last year from the alleged riparian land remain uncompensated.
Mr Masika said that to date, no clear communication has been made concerning their fate or any compensation plans.
He said many of the residents are structure owners who have resided in the area their entire lives and have no other place to call home.
“The recent notice by the Nairobi County City Planning CEC, dated March 6, 2025, did not outline any commitment or plan by the Government to compensate those who will be affected by the impending eviction,” states the petition tabled before the Senate by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna.
“It is unacceptable that a community is evicted without adequate notice, public participation, or clarity on compensation. We are dealing with human beings who have lived in these areas for decades,” said Mr Sifuna.
The senator termed the ongoing exercise as a clear disregard of the opinions of the residents, some of whom have lived in the area for decades.
“The residents of Korogocho are not against development or environmental restoration. However, they deserve fairness, dignity and a seat at the table where decisions about their lives are made,” said the ODM secretary-general.
Nairobi River Corridor was declared a Special Planning Area by City Hall on March 5, 2025 with the corridor spanning the area along Nairobi River, from Naivasha Road to Ruai, including the river tributaries.
The notice declared the corridor to extend 60 meters beyond the high-water mark on each side of the river (30 meters riparian corridor and an additional 30 meters development area).
However, the affected residents are now alleging lack of adequate notice and public participation, claiming the public notice declaring the Nairobi River Corridor a special planning area was communicated to the community representatives after the expiry of the 14-day notice period.
Consequently, he said the community was unable to submit their opinions and memoranda on the matter, hence the public participation has not been conducted in a meaningful or inclusive manner.
He also cited a lack of representation in decision-making where community residents have not been adequately represented in decision-making processes regarding the planning and eviction exercises.
“The reasons for the delay can only be known to the local chief and other local leaders,” said Mr Masika.
To add salt to injury, the petitioners claimed that the planning and eviction process for those affected along the Nairobi River Corridor has been marked by intimidation.
“Whereas, we the undersigned have pursued all possible means of resolution, including seeking audience with the Governor, Nairobi City County, the County Executive of Nairobi and the County Assembly of Nairobi, in vain. We have therefore been left with no option but to petition the Senate of the Republic of Kenya,” said Mr Masika.
