Kenyans woke up on Friday morning with news that another multi-million illegal building was being demolished. This time it was the Ukay Mall in Westlands.
But little did they know that, Southend Mall the building, whose demolition had started on Wednesday had stalled. And now we know why the demolition has stalled.
Our sources have revealed that lack of fuel for two bulldozers and two trucks have stalled the project. Yes, you heard me right, a government agency has got no fuel.
The situation is so dire that the authorities are contemplating on using explosives to finish the job. Now, the big question on everyone’s lips is where did they get the fuel to demolish Ukay Mall on Friday?
Is NEMA really interested in demolishing buildings or are they just doing some PR works for the camera?
Workers and owners of Southend Mall on Langata road suffered a blow after bulldozers descended on the Sh1 billion mall on Wednesday morning. The mall that stands upon Mutuini-Ngong River on Langata Road is owned by former Bobasi MP Stephen Manoti.
Residents and environmentalists complained that the five storey building obstructed the flow of Mutuin-Ngong river causing flooding during the rainy season. The building has been blamed for flooding in Nairobi West, South C and the entire Langata area.
The latest report is an irony to the President’s tough speech on bringing down illegal structures. On Thursday, Uhuru said that the government will continue bringing down illegal structures.
“We will continue to demolish properties constructed on riparian lands, equally punish officials who made approvals for those properties. We are doing everything to discourage corruption. It is possible to do clean business in Kenya, this is what we want to encourage.” He said through his twitter handdle.
We will continue to demolish properties constructed on riparian lands, equally punish officials who made approvals for those properties. We are doing everything to discourage corruption. It is possible to do clean business in Kenya, this is what we want to encourage. pic.twitter.com/MPsrTJw4wj
— Uhuru Kenyatta (@UKenyatta) August 9, 2018
City governor has also echoed the President’s sentiments on his Facebook page, where he said he is ready to pay the ultimate price of being a one-term governor if that is what it will take to demolish buildings build on government land and riparian land.
He said that his own plot in Buru Buru Estate is among structures earmarked for demolition because they were constructed on road reserve. Sonko indicated that there are 15 public facilities in the city, whose land have been grabbed and that he will do anything ensure that public property is regained. “Better be a one term governor and leave a legacy than entertaining grabbing of public land and utilities,” Sonko posted on his Facebook page.
But it now seems those are just empty rhetorics from the two leaders if a demolition project can stall due to lack of fuel. It could be our leaders want to boost their image in the eyes of Kenyans who believe they are working.