Kenyans woke up on Monday morning with news that the government was demolishing another illegal structure. And this time it was not the peasant farmers that were being evicted from Mau or slum dwellers whose houses were brought down to pave way for a road in Kibera. The demolition was happening in Kileleshwa, where the high and mighty live.
Java house outlet and a Shell Petrol Station in Kileleshwa were brought down in the early morning demolition by The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) The demolition exercise which began as early as 5.30 am Monday morning are part of the enviromental body’s plan to reclaim riparian land.
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 within rivers. Last week, the government demolished illegal structures in Kilimani, an incident that resulted to the rise of Ugali man, a man who rescued a gigantic Ugali from being demolished.
Pictures of the man, running away with the Ugali on his shoulders have gone viral with a section of Kenyans on Twitter calling for President Kenyatta to award him with a Head of State Commendation just like he did to Githeri man.
But the demolitions have elicited different reactions from Kenyans with most of them questioning who authorized the construction of the building in the first place, and why it was not stopped in the construction phase. Both Java and Shell offer employment to more than 100 Kenyans who are jobless as we speak. Property worth millions was also destroyed in the demolitions.
Here are some of the reactions from Kenyans on Twitter.
National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has today, 6th August, conducted demolitions that have seen the Kileleshwa Java House and Shell Fuel station brought down in efforts to reclaim riparian land. https://t.co/g2aVKwt0EH #SokoNews pic.twitter.com/bcvavaalOX
— SokoAnalyst (@SokoAnalyst) August 6, 2018
When the building housing Java house was built, NEMA must have approved it.
Now they’ve realized it’s on reparian land…Hehe anyway safety is winning.
— ?????? ????™ (@millanouma) August 6, 2018
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
If @NemaKenya are demolishing Java Kileleshwa to recover riparian land then Westgate must also go. Biggest offender. @Maskani254 @WanjikuRevolt @WanjeriNderu
— Gabriel Dolan (@GabrielDolan1) 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
Java has responded on its social media pages saying their the situation will not incovenience 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.
Dear Guests,
Due to unforeseen circumstances, our Java Kileleshwa branch will remain closed until further notice. You can still enjoy your daily Java at neighboring branches on Lenana Road and Hurlingham.
— Java House (@javahouseafrica) August 6, 2018
The government agency said that they had issued a three month’s-notice and another seven day notice to the tenants to vacate but they did not obey the orders. Tenants of the buildings located along arboretum drive however said they were not given ample time to move and have faulted the demolition exercise for being ‘inhumane.’