Over 500 illegal constructions in Mombasa to be pulled down

A wall in Miritini, Jomvu brought down. / BRIAN OTIENO

Two unexpected heavy downpours in Mombasa did not result in flooding in the Coastal county because of the improved drainage system, a county executive said on Friday.

Lands and housing executive Mohamed Amadoh Hussein said this would have also been the case even in the past had residents not turned rogue and put up structures on waterways and riparian lands.

Amadoh said going forward, Mombasa will not be a private developers’ play den anymore.

“For a long time, we have been suffering whenever rains because people decided that they will not obey county regulations and they will do whatever they like because they have money. Not anymore!” Amadoh warned.

He said a county random check revealed that there are as many as 500 illegal structures and construction across the entire county.

“This is what prompted us to start a crackdown. We started with Utange where the problem was more serious. So far, we have pulled down not less than 10 structures,” he said

Speaking at the county governor’s office, Amadoh said Utange residents suffered the most because of illegal constructions.

In the past, any slight rains would cause massive flooding with storm waters getting into people’s houses window-high, forcing residents to temporarily relocate.

After collaboration between Amadoh and transport and infrastructure executive Dan Manyala, the stormwater drainage system in the area has been improved.

Manyala said the major challenge in the past was the construction of walls and residential and business premises on riparian land and waterways.

“These used to block the paths that stormwater used to take on its way into the Indian Ocean. Today, most of the waterways have been unblocked and legal action taken against those culpable. This has been a deterrent,” Manyala told the Star.

Amadoh said all those seeking to put up buildings or any structures in the county must first get approvals and the approvals must be followed to the letter.

“This is a warning to private developers. Anyone who attempts to construct anything in Mombasa without approval will be dealt with mercilessly. We have suffered enough as a county. We cannot allow any more deaths related to illegal constructions,” the executive said.

He noted that the 18-course boundary wall in Jomvu that collapsed under heavy rains and killed eight people is an unfortunate but avoidable incident.

“In as much as we say we cannot escape accidents, some things can be prevented if we stick to the law,” he said.

He said investigations have revealed that the boundary wall had been constructed illegally and the workmanship was poor. About 100 metres of the wall collapsed on Monday killing eight people, four on the spot, with the other four dying while receiving treatment in hospital. A months-old baby is the only survivor of the incident.

The county demolished the remainder of the wall and they are looking to charge the owner of the wall, a steel-making company, in court.

He also warned those putting up structures on road reserves saying they must also cease.

“Road reserves are just that, road reserves. They are not business premises. They have to be respected as that,” he said.