As Governor Sonko continues to demolish Nairobi buildings Ukay Centre in Nairobi have now moved to court to stop its forthcoming demolition in the ongoing crackdown to reclaim occupied riparian land in the capital.
Kental Enterprises Limited has sued the Nairobi County government, the National Environment Management Authority (Nema), the Water Resource and Management Authority, the National Youth Service and the attorney-general.
Through their lawyers George Karungo and Walter Kontos, Ukay owners claims that the sued parties have in the past made allegations that the property sits on a riparian reserve.
In the case documents, they claim that on July 24, 2012, Justice David Majanja quashed an attempt to have their title cancelled based on those allegations.
They also allege that the claim resurfaced on May 23 and in a July 6 letter, in which they were notified that part of Ukay Centre was set for demolition.
According to Managing Director Bimal Shah, Ukay Centre adhered to all laws relating to riparian reserves and the recommended distance from rivers.
“Pending the hearing and determination of this case, an order be issued restraining government departments, local authority or agency from alienating, demolishing or in any manner interfering with the quiet possession of Ukay Center,” the lawyers said.
The disputed property is located near river Kinagare.
The government has earmarked 4,000 buildings for demolition because they sit on riparian land.
In a report by the National Environmental Management Authority dated June 26, and based on inspection visits to riparian areas within Nairobi county, nine buildings and structures were found to be on riparian land.
He listed several grabbed lands and utilities in Nairobi including the proposed land for Gigiri and Ruaraka fire stations, Highridge Hospital in parklands, new Muthaiga Thigiri Ridge County dispensary and nursery school, Pumwani Hospital expansion structures, Eastleigh county Market and wariro county market.
Others are Langata primary school land, St. Catherine primary school land, Buruburu Girls School land, Martin Luther primary school land, Kamkunji Secondary school land, Langata Secondary School land and the land reserved for South C market.
Governor Sonko said during the construction of Southern and Northern bypass, so many structures, including schools, churches, mosques and houses were brought down, therefore whatever is happening in Nairobi is for the better of the majority.
He stated that he was blamed for floods in Nairobi, but it was later established that people had built on sewer lines, rivers and riparian lands.
“If you remember the floods in Kariobangi, we found out someone had put up three buildings on sewer line,” said Sonko.
At the same time, the governor said that the county will put up modern markets, stalls and kiosks to accommodate traders in Nairobi who will be affected by ongoing demolitions.
“I have mobilized my MCA to take data of all affected traders and hawkers so that once we clean Nairobi, once it becomes the real City under the Sun. I will start a new strategy to do modern sheds, kiosks and market to accommodate them,” he said.
Just yesterday The ground shook as the bulldozer tore into the five-storey Southend Mall, along Lang’ata Road early yesterday morning.
Where the monster’s teeth failed to bite, a drill was unleashed and parts of the building came tumbling down.
Owners of the building watched helplessly as their Sh2 billion investment was reduced to rubble.