Sakaja Orders Demolition of Illegal Riverbank Structures in Bold Move to End Nairobi Flooding
By Irene Mwende Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has ordered the immediate demolition of illegal structures built along riverbanks and the relocation of residents occupying riparian land, marking a decisive step in tackling Nairobi’s persistent flooding crisis. The directive, issued under his capacity as Chair of the Implementation Committee on the Intergovernmental Cooperation Agreement, is already being enforced across key flood-prone areas in the city. Speaking during an inspection and demolition exercise in Westlands near Westgate Shopping Mall, Sakaja confirmed that action had commenced following the submission of a 48-hour report by the Infrastructure Subcommittee. “The directive was clear—within 48 hours, we needed a concrete action plan to address flooding. I have received that report, and implementation is now underway,” he said. The ongoing operation targets developments that have obstructed natural waterways, worsening flood risks during hea...