Environment Cabinet Secretary (CS) Aden Duale has announced the relocation of households along Nairobi rivers. This is to necessitate ecological restoration through the governments’ flagship Climate Worx Mtaani initiative.
CS Duale said this while appearing before the Departmental Committee on Environment, Forestry and Mining chaired by David Gikaria on October 15, 2024, to respond to questions on various issues under his Ministry.
“The Government is committed to moving all people living along riparian land across Nairobi City,” CS Duale told the Committee.
He has maintained that the relocation is lawful, humane and in the best interest of citizens following the deaths of 47 people caused by floods in the city.
Duale to Address Another Agenda
Another agenda that was deliberated on during the meeting is the question on environmental concerns regarding Government plan to establish a nuclear power plant project at Uyombo in Kilifi North Constituency.
In his submission, the CS has emphasized that the government will reclaim all riparian land along Nairobi rivers regardless of who owns the encroached structures.
The CS was accompanied by the Principal Secretary (PS) State Department for Environment and Climate Change, Festus Ng’eno and the PS State Department for Forestry, Mr. Gitonga Mugambi.
Also Read: Duale Warns of Worrying Trend in two Counties
Outcry by Residents on Forced Relocation
The relocation of families living in settlements along the Nairobi River during the April rains left many homeless and raised questions among members of the public.
During the relocation, bulldozers demolished homes near the riparian areas.
The demolitions received sharp criticism from a section of Kenyans and other human rights organizations who termed the operation as selective following an announcement on May 3, by President William Ruto that aimed at restoring riparian land.
Ruto linked the then ongoing floods to a failure by citizens to protect the environment.
The heavy rains claimed over two hundred lives and destroyed property and infrastructure.
Also Read: CS Duale Issues Fresh Orders Over Pollution of Nairobi River
Furthermore, on May 24, CS Kithure Kindiki announced that 40,000 households had decided voluntarily to relocate from the riparian land.
“Erecting buildings and structures within the 30-metre riparian corridor is prohibited by law,” Kindiki stated.
He then added, “It clogs the rivers, and exposes dwellers on riparian reserves to grave danger of loss of life and property.”
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