After leading a multi-agency team from the Nairobi Rivers Commission to mark a section of the State House perimeter wall for demolition, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has issued a warning to landowners who have built on riparian land in high end estates.
The governor said that President William Ruto's decision to allow the Commission to demolish a section of a perimeter wall blocking the Kirichwa Kubwa River during heavy rains is an indication that no one will be spared this time.
“This marked wall will go down. People should get ready and move from riparian land. If State House has been able to do this, everyone else should comply,” Governor Sakaja said, adding that the city is undergoing transformation along river corridors that have for long been occupied by some people, leading to deaths and destruction of property.
While addressing the media during the marking of areas to be demolished, the governor said that landowners along rivers should comply before the commission moves in to claim the land.
“This exercise will not discriminate anyone. No one will be left behind. Previously, all the efforts were aimed at the areas downstream where we have informal settlements and they kept asking what about Lavington? What about Westlands? What about Kileleshwa? Today we are at State House. Everybody will be treated the same. There is no sacred cow on this operation, whether it's an embassy, a church or a disco,” he said.
He noted that the Commission has a clear plan to address the issue of floods, in addition to ongoing construction of a mega sewer line that will accommodate the growing population of the city for the next 50 years.
The multi-agency team said it has a Sh50 billion budget allocated to the project, which includes river restoration, construction of pedestrian and cycling corridors and development of public spaces.
Officials cited previous successes, including the reclamation of land along the Kibagare River near Westgate, where a park is currently under development.
“We are restoring the Nairobi River, creating walkways, reclaiming riparian land, and transforming the city. The walkways will serve as transport corridors where people can walk or cycle safely, with lighting and security,” Governor Sakaja said.
He hinted that some people, including some of his close friends, had already reached out to his office seeking protection, which he said will not be granted as he pushes for compliance.
Water Resources Authority (WRA) CEO Mohamed Moulid Shurie, who is part of the team, said: “We are going to be fair with everybody in this country because the law is there. We cannot make any mistake and if there is any wrong doing with the measurement, you can come and complain.”
While lauding President William Ruto for agreeing to allow the team to mark the areas to be demolished, he said anybody who has encroached on riparian land is not safe.
“If we are doing this at State House, what about you? We are doing something which is within the law, something which is good for everybody.”
