Nairobi governor Mike Sonko has finally decided to act on the illegal and faulty 7-storey building in Kayole. The building had cause a public uproar with many Kenyans calling for it’s demolition.
According to Sonko, his administration cannot sit back and watch as Kenyans get trapped in collapsed buildings because of corruption.
Sonko today ordered his team to bring down the condemned building, a task that was carried out by the now famous Sanny bulldozers better known as the “Green Mamba”
“My admin cannot sit back & watch innocent Kenyans trapped in collapsed buildings because of corruption.This morning a multi-agency team led by City Hall officials arrested owner of a condemned 7-storey building in Kayole for building without approvals/ignoring a demolition notice,” said Sonko.
The issue of illegal structures in the country and especially in Nairobi County has become a pain in the neck of Kenyans and the government at large.
Despite coming up with clear procedures to be followed before erecting a building within the County, Nairobi continue’s to witness an influx of illegal structures.
According to records at the Nairobi County, the developer was ordered to demolish the block in an enforcement notice issued on November 9.
The developer was also asked to submit the structural integrity report on the same within seven days.
“You are hereby required to stop further construction immediately and submit architectural and structure plant,” the notice reads.
The notice apparently elapsed on Wednesday, November 16 but the developer still remained reluctant to bring down the building.
The developer has now been identified as Caroline Wanjiru. She was today arrested for constructing a structure without approvals.
BREAKING: CAROLINE WANJIRU, owner of condemned seven-storey building in Kayole arrested for constructing a structure without approvals.
— David Maina Ndung’u?? (@ItsDavidMaina) November 23, 2018
High-end buildings among them Airgate Centre (Taj Mall) in Embakasi, South End Mall on Langata Road, Ukay Centre and part of Oshwal Centre in Westlands, were pulled down.
The team charged with demolishing illegal buildings claimed that it is cash-strapped and cannot therefore continue with the crackdown it started in August.
The multiagency unit hopes to resume next year if funds are made available. It was supervised by the Nairobi Regeneration Task Force. The operation targeted buildings on riparian land and road reserves. It stopped in September.
“You know, this exercise is very costly. There are some problems with the budget and that slowed it down,” National Building Inspectorate secretary Moses Nyakiongora said.
Do you think the government will finally win the war on illegal buildings?