Lavington residents oppose petrol station construction in area

Residents of Lavington area want a private developer stopped from building a petrol station in their area.

The Lavington Five Roads Residents' Association are calling for the county to take immediate action.

The chairperson Ndirangu Wa Maina said there was insufficient public participation in the matter.

He said as a matter of public interest, they should have been thoroughly consulted.

“The constitution provides for public participation in such matters and this requirement is sometimes skipped. Sometimes they invite us to give our opinion, we object to proposals but they over-ride us,” he said.

He said the change in the use of the area on James Gichuru road at the Olenguruone Roundabout, was also not subject to public participation.

He said regardless, the developer was granted permits and licences by Nema to start construction.

“Our message is very clear, we are calling upon Nairobi governor and  head of Nema to revoke the licenses of this developer who is putting up a commercial building in a low-density residential area,” he said.

“No commercial buildings should be put up near here.”

He said there are schools near here whose learning will be disrupted by the operation of a petrol station due to noise and traffic.

The school nearest to the construction, St Austin’s Academy, said shops selling liquor at the petrol station could tempt students.

“The volatility of petrol products, which may lead to evaporation into the air and the water in area boreholes, can cause students and residents to fall sick,” the school’s representative Joseph Sambu said.