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The County Governments Act of 2012 states that such decisions must be aligned with the relevant plans.
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Sakaja maintained his position that the construction of high-rise apartments in Kenya's posh neighbourhoods of Kileleshwa and Lavington will not stop.
Image: FILE
Over 26 professional and resident groups in Nairobi have opposed Governor Johnson Sakaja's proposal to allow tall buildings in various parts of the city.
They argue that it goes against the law and harms the environment.
The County Governments Act of 2012 states that such decisions must be aligned with the relevant plans.
Sakaja on Sunday maintained his position that the construction of high-rise apartments in Kenya's posh neighbourhoods of Kileleshwa and Lavington will not stop.
"I have heard people complaining that in areas of Kileleshwa and Lavington, our homes were one-storey and now apartments have come. Nairobi is 696 square kilometres, in 2050 it will have a population of 10.5 million people. Will we expand Nairobi? No the only place we have to go is up," he said.
He emphasized the need for high-rise buildings due to limited land despite a growing population.
However, in a joint statement on Wednesday, the associations said they will move to court if the county doesn't stop the plan, especially in areas like Kilimani and Kileleshwa.
"The governor should prioritise the expansion of critical infrastructure including sewerage, water, solid waste management, public transport, schools, health amenities, open grace spaces, fire and emergency services,” Florence Nyole, the president of the Architectural Association of Kenya said.
Teddy Obiero, chairperson of the Alliance of Nairobi Metropolitan Residents Association (ANMRA), pointed out issues like water shortages in some areas and urged authorities to address existing problems before replicating them elsewhere.
"Pipeline is a disaster, and why should we have to copy-paste Pipeline now to Kilimani, Kileleshwa and many others? Can we stop the mess at Pipeline?" he posed.
The associations claim the right legal procedures have not been followed.
They say the Sessional Paper No. 1 of 2023 on Nairobi City County Development Control Policy is currently before the Nairobi County Assembly awaiting approval.
The Kenya Alliance of Residents Association (KARA) has also thrown its weight behind these associations.
"KARA joins Nairobi residents and built environment professional bodies in objecting Sakaja's declaration on the rezoning of some areas of the city, without due legal process and the expansion of critical infrastructure to support the new developments," it said.
KARA emphasized that Sakaja and the relevant departments must prioritize the development and implementation of Local Physical Development Plans at all levels.