Duale hard-pressed over demolition of Nairobi homes along riparian land

Appearing before the Committee on Environment Forestry and Mining on Tuesday, Duale confirmed that the government had directed all Kenyans residing along riparian land to vacate. 

He pointed out that the recent flooding situation led to over 41 people losing their lives and the orders to vacate were to deter the situation from reoccurring. 

He referenced President William Ruto's remarks on April 2024, where he reassured the public that the government would provide temporary shelter to those affected in the relocation plan. 

"Hon. Members, all those living along riparian land across the city of Nairobi must vacate regardless of their social class. The recent flooding in Nairobi County led to the loss of 41 people and I want to assure this Committee that this will not happen again," CS Duale noted. 

The MPs however, differed with the CS's response, questioning whether the government had a clear plan to relocate the residents affected by the decree. 

"I find the statement by the CS very unsubstantive. He needs to check his statement because millions of people live in the informal settlement areas far from River Nairobi and Mathare,"  Ruaraka MP TJ Kajwang noted. 

"The Government has moved them more that 30 metres from the river with no clear plan to relocate them. This is painful and selective, just go to Kileleshwa and you will see tall buildings just besides the river," he added, 

The lawmakers also raised concerns over the Ksh.10,000 funds provided as compensation to each family whose house was demolished. 

They argued that the amount was too little to assist the families in rebuilding their lives. The MPs requested Duale to furnish them with documents detailing the total cost of the resettlement plan.