A multi agency taskforce comprising of NEMA, KURA and Nairobi County Government said efforts to bring down illegal structures in Nairobi will continue especially on buildings located on (riparian reserves) river valleys.
Java has responded on its social media pages saying the situation will not inconvenience operations at their other outlets across the city.
NEMA officials said that the buildings had been built on a road reserve and encroached on riparian land. The government agency said that it had issued a three month-notice and another seven day notification to the tenants to vacate but they did not heed the orders.
Tenants at the buildings located along Arboretum Drive however said they were not given ample time to move and faulted the demolition for being inhumane.
However Kenyans have comeout to react on social media regarding the demolition.
Here is what they had to say:
Curious: Why do demolitions in #Nairobi happen during the wee hours of the morning? Why involve armed police? If these building must come down, who authorized their construction? Happening now at Shell Petrol station Kileleshwa pic.twitter.com/3nsAVfyEn9
— NGELE ALI (@ngeleali) August 6, 2018
Interesting to see NEMA pulling down Java + petrol station that’s been in Kileleshwa for decades. But how are such decisions made? Illegal riparian construction aside, there are apartment blocks on road reserves or on stolen public land. What about them + people who live in them?
— Adrian Blomfield (@adrianblomfield) August 6, 2018
So, @NEMAKenya, as you take down structures, are you going to demolish other structures on riverbeds and riparian land across the country? Should we provide a list?
Also, where were you when Java/Shell Kileleshwa was being constructed? Why let them on the site in the first place?— Naomi Mutua ?? (@AKenyanGirl) August 6, 2018
Hahahahahaha!
Who owns that Shell petrol station ya Kileleshwa? Wamekosana na nani? That whole stretch has massive rental properties on Riparian land. Anyway, of importance is life\ and being in line with the right people.— cookoutthursdays.com (@shobanes) August 6, 2018
People who built on wetlands must vacate and bring down their buildings. I am happy with Governor @MikeSonko for bringing down this Shell Kileleshwa. Java claims to be a premium brand. How they rented space on top of a sewer still baffles me. pic.twitter.com/UEIauxZmmO
— Robert ALAI, HSC (@RobertAlai) August 6, 2018
It would be a big shame and opulent display of double-standards, if Java Kileleshwa was demolished, and those apartments left intact. We also demand that Taj Mall, Standard Media Group, Naivas Outer Ring, Sameer Business Park also be demolished! They were built on road-reserves. pic.twitter.com/PtMhnWSwZa
— Cyprian, Is Nyakundi (@AtNyakundi) August 6, 2018
By demolishing Java Kileleshwa, NEMA is sending a strong message that buildings on riparian land won’t be spared and that it’s not only about fighting #UgaliMan and his ilk. Big men must also cry. Now Taj Mall, Nakumatt Ukay and others must also come down. pic.twitter.com/kT4dl7pDBy
— Ahmed Mohamed (@Asmali77) August 6, 2018
So where was NEMA when Java Kileleshwa was being constructed?
— M&M (@MonyqueXO) August 6, 2018
Shell/Java Kileleshwa have been flattened by NEMA this morning. Hope the next ones will be Tajmall and this other building at the Junction of langata Road and Mbagathi way!
— Nkaate (@Nkaate) August 6, 2018
Java/Shell Kileleshwa was brought down this morning cause it’s close riparian.
Who gave the construction permits, who did the EIA in the first place? How was it just disovered this year?
The flats in the background are they close as well? pic.twitter.com/Cgzig1qDb8— Tugen Girl (@tugengirl) August 6, 2018
It’s either I’m blind or NEMA are!
It’s either Kenyans are stupid or NEMA are high on Kisii weed.
Can someone balance me real quick how the petrol station and Java Kileleshwa are on riparian reserve but this building isn’t? pic.twitter.com/XYv67xfLFU— INCREDIBLY TERRIBLE (@allen_arnold) August 6, 2018