Was Nairobi Building Demolitions selective? Details Emerge

On Thursday Nairobi Governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko dared Murang’a Goernor Mwangi Wa Iria to cut water supply to Nairobi.

Nairobi city gets water supply from Murang’a’s Ndakaini dam.

Speaking on Thursday, Sonko asserted that Ndakaini Dam, which supplies 84 percent of the city’s water, is owned by the Nairobi County Government.

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According to Governor Sonko, the Nairobi County administration purchased the parcel of land on which the Ndakaini Dam sits and even compensated residents who were displaced from the water tower.

“Ndakaini Dam was acquired by Nairobi County and we compensated Murang’a residents who were displaced from that area. In addition to Ndakaini, we have ownership documents for Ruiru Dam, Thika Dam and Ngethu in Gatundu,” said Sonko.

The governor was speaking during the official opening of the Nairobi International Trade Fair by President Uhuru Kenyatta on Thursday.

In a thinly-veiled threat, Sonko said that Governor Wa Iria has property constructed on a road reserve in Nairobi, hence, he could also face action should he interfere with the Nairobi water supply.

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“This governor who is threatening to cut supply of water to Nairobi has built on a road reserve in Nairobi. If he dares shutdown Nairobi water… My friend, let me not bring politics here because the president is around,” said Sonko.

Following Sonko’s statement that threatened Wa Iria whom he said has built on a Nairobi road reserve, Kenyans on twitter have reacted questioning if the demolitions witnessed recently were selective.

Several buildings built on road reserves among then South End Mall and Airgate Mall formerly Taj Mall were brought down.

Kenyans reacted questioning why this building Sonko was claiming Wa Iria built on  road reserve didn’t go down, and can only go down if Murang’a boss cuts water supply to Nairobi.

Governor Wa Iria set the stage for fresh controversy after he said at least 25% of the revenue generated from water channeled to Nairobi from Ndakaini must be given to Murang’a county, failure to which he will cut supply of water to the city.

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Leaders from Murang’a have from time to time argued that it’s ironical for people of the county to suffer water shortage while its resource is channeled elsewhere.

The protracted wrangles over water in Murang’a County, began with a tussle between Governor Mwangi wa Iria and businessman Peter Munga over the management of the Murang’a Water and Sewerage Company(MUWASCO).

The governor dethroned Mr. Munga from the chairmanship of MUWASCO leading to protests after the company disconnected the supply of water in Murang’a.

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Wa Iria retaliated by asking residents not to pay bills to the Murang’a water company, a move condemned by Water Cabinet Secretary Simon Chelugui who said governor Wa Iria overstepped his mandate.

On Wednesday, CS Chelugui said the Murang’a County Government has no right to call for a 25 percent share of revenue collected on water supplied to Nairobi.

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