Nairobi, KENYA: The planned demolition of Seefar apartments located in Nyayo Highrise area in Nairobi for allegedly being on riparian land, now hangs in the balance after the Home owners backed by Nairobi Senator Johnson Sakaja, shifted blame to NEMA, for approving the construction of the building in the first place.
Not only the home owners but the Association of Construction Managers Kenya chapter, also want the government to take action against officials who approved construction of structures on riparian land.
In a media briefing on Friday, Chair Nashon Okowa said that it is paradoxical for government agencies especially National Environmental management Authority (NEMA) and Water Resources Management Authority (WRMA) to give a clean bill of health for construction of structures, then later slap investors with demolition notices.
“We want to see officials of NEMA and WRMA who issued illegal approval of Seefar apartment arraigned in court before destroying the livelihood of over 220 families,” Okowa said.
He said that the industry has been in limbo after the government agencies which approved the construction of various structures have turned out to issue demolition notices and yet innocent Kenyans had made informed investment decisions.
With the safety of the tenants in the building having been raised, Nairobi governor Mike Sonko says due diligence will be taken by surveyors deployed by the county .
