City Hall to Begin Removing Houses from Nairobi Riparian Land

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has confirmed that the county government is ready to begin the demolition of residential structures built on riparian land. This move follows a period of heavy rainfall that caused significant loss of life and property damage across the capital.

Addressing the media on the state of the city's infrastructure, the Governor noted that those who have constructed houses on river banks will have to move. He stated that the county has already assembled the necessary equipment to carry out the removals, emphasizing that occupants are aware they are in restricted zones.

The directive comes after the city's drainage system failed to cope with recent downpours. Governor Sakaja observed that much of the current network was designed for a significantly smaller population and has suffered from decades of neglect. He described the current situation as a process of catching up with aging systems that are no longer fit for purpose.

According to Kenyan law, riparian land is generally defined as the area between six and 30 metres from the highest watermark of a watercourse. Despite these regulations, intensive informal and formal developments have encroached on these buffers, particularly in areas like Mathare and Mukuru, where the Nairobi River burst its banks during the April and May rains.

The Governor defended the enforcement actions against claims of political bias, stating that the safety of residents must take priority over political considerations. He criticized leaders who have discouraged evacuations in high-risk areas such as the Grogan garages, where flooding has previously caused severe disruptions.

Beyond the immediate removals, the county administration is seeking closer cooperation with the national government to address broader water management. Sakaja noted that parts of Nairobi were historically built on swampy terrain, necessitating long-term engineering solutions rather than temporary fixes.

Work is also expected to focus on the restoration of natural waterways to mitigate future disaster risks. The Governor called on residents to support these efforts by ending the practice of illegal waste disposal in drainage channels, which exacerbates blockages during storm events.

The planned demolitions are part of a raft of measures intended to restore the integrity of the city's riparian zones. While the displacement of families remains a sensitive issue, the administration maintains that removing structures from the path of water is essential to prevent a recurrence of the recent fatalities.