Elite Court and King’ara Court apartments in Kilimani are among the buildings in Nairobi marked for demolition as Nairobi County intensifies its crackdown on developments built on riparian land.
Speaking during a church service at PCEA Evergreen Parish in Roysambua, Nairobi, Governor Johnson Sakaja confirmed that both Elite Court and King’ara Court have been marked for demolition as part of the ongoing enforcement targeting structures along the Kirichwa Kubwa River.
The planned demolition is part of an ongoing multi-agency operation to reclaim waterways and reduce flood risks across in Nairobi.
Elite Court Residents Face Eviction
Elite Court, located along Ole Dume Road in the high-end suburb of Kilimani, has been identified as one of dozens of developments built on riparian land.
During the 2024 flooding, the estate was among the areas heavily affected, with damage reported.
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King’ara Court, also in Kilimani, has been marked after authorities established that sections of the development fall within the required 10-meter riparian land.
According to Sakaja, the buildings lie within the riparian zone of the Kirichwa Kubwa River, making it highly vulnerable to recurring floods.
He also confirmed that part of the state house wall is marked for demolition, emphasizing that no one is exempted from the ongoing efforts.
“At Kirichwa Kubwa, Elite Court has experienced repeated flooding over the years because it sits on riparian land. Like other affected structures, it is part of the ongoing demolitions. The recent removal of part of the State House wall underscores that no one is exempt. We cannot continue losing lives due to occupation of riparian areas,” Sakaja said
Crackdown on Illegal Riparian Developments
Demolition of Elite Court is part of a campaign targeting structures built along riverbanks and drainage corridors across Nairobi.
Sakaja said that illegal developments have narrowed waterways, obstructed natural flow, and increased flood risks in several neighborhoods.
Governor Sakaja ordered the demolition of all structures encroaching on riparian land as part of a flood mitigation strategy.
The directives follow inspections that revealed some rivers had been reduced to narrow culverts incapable of handling heavy water volumes.
“The work to reclaim riparian land is ongoing at high speed. We are recovering many areas, and as the rains continue, more structures built on riparian land are being identified and removed. This exercise is ongoing, and no one is being exempted,” emphasized Sakaja.
Multi-agency teams, including the Nairobi River Commission and national government officials, have already marked several buildings in affected areas.
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Sakaja Cautions Against Politicising Development Projects
In his speech on Sunday, Sakaja warned political leaders against politicizing the ongoing development projects, emphasizing the need for unity as the county undertakes major reforms.
He pointed to the ongoing reconstruction of Gikomba Market, noting that the project is progressing steadily and is expected to be completed within six months.
He urged leaders to exercise restraint and promote tolerance, warning that heightened political tensions could derail critical infrastructure efforts.
Sakaja also maintained that the county’s current interventions are focused on building a safer, more resilient Nairobi capable of withstanding future environmental and urban challenges.
