PS Omollo visits Kiamaiko amid ongoing demolition

Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo on Saturday visited the Kiamaiko Ngundu area amid the ongoing demolition in riparian areas.

The PS visited the area to sensitise residents on the need to move away from riparian lands that are prone to flooding. 

He said riparian areas are prone to flooding during heavy rain, posing a risk to life and property.

"Heavy rains can erode riverbanks leading to structural instability and potential collapse of buildings or structures," PS Omollo said.

He thanked the public for their cooperation and assured them of the government's plans to relocate the affected individuals through cash transfers, affordable housing and social housing.

Omollo was acompanied by Nairobi Regional Commissioner Katee Mwanza, Regional Commander Adamson Bugei, DCC Mathare and members of NGAO and NPS.

The PS requested NGAO to collaborate with elders, youth, women and Nyumba Kumi to implement the reparation plans.

He emphasised the need for the government to prevent further loss of life due to flooding in riparian areas.

Omollo assured the residents of government support and in return, they agreed not to return beyond the marked beacons.

The visit came amid ongoing demolitions ordered by Interior CS Kithure Kindiki of structures and buildings illegally constructed near Nairobi rivers.

The directive affects all those living within 30 metres of Ngong, Mathare and Nairobi rivers.

The CS said the order extends to all Kenyans living within 30 metres of riparian land in rivers and other water bodies across the country.

On Thursday, Kindiki directed the Nairobi Regional and County Security Teams to work with the Nairobi City County Government and the National Disaster Operation Centre (NDOC) to ensure immediate vacation of people living along the rivers.

"The Nairobi Regional and County Security teams are directed to work with the Nairobi City County Government and the multiagency team under the auspices of the National Disaster Operation Centre (NDOC) to ensure the immediate vacation or mandatory evacuation of all persons within the 30-metre riparian land along the Nairobi Rivers (Mathare, Ngong and Nairobi Rivers), and thereafter oversee the removal of all buildings and structures within the riparian land as well as the planning corridor," Kindiki said.

Following the order, bulldozers prevailed upon buildings and structures Friday morning and flattened everything on site within the marked riparian areas.

This followed the lapse of a 24-hour altimatum for owners and residents to move to safer places.

Kindiki had directed them to move starting at 6.30 pm on Thursday.

He said upon the lapse of the grace period, the government would enforce mandatory evacuation during the daytime between 6am to 6.30pm.

The CS reaffirmed government's resolve to implement adequate measures in provision of temporary shelter, food and non-food essential supplies to all those that will be affected by the demolition and evacuation directive.