Java House Kileleshwa branch was on Monday morning demolished by the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA).
Also taken down was an adjacent Shell petrol station in a move by the environment management body to reclaim riparian land.
Via a statement on their social media, the coffee-led restaurant stated that the branch would remain closed until further notice.
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"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 Africa tweeted on Monday.
Here are the photos:
There were reports of heavy traffic along Ring Road as drivers slowed down to witness the demolitions as security personnel were deployed at the scene.
The structures that were taken down are located on the junction of Ring Road, Laipikia Road and Arboretum Drive.
In 2017, the area witnessed flooding following heavy rains. Experts attributed the flooding which affected residents to constructions along wetland areas that interfered with natural waterways.
On Monday, NEMA issued a notice stating that the demolition exercise to clear the Nairobi River and its tributaries of illegal structures has been and will be an ongoing exercise.
In the statement seen by Kenyans.co.ke, the environment management body added that the activity was an inter-ministerial and multiagency under the Nairobi Regeneration Initiative.
"We urge all those who have encroached on the riparian reserves in contravention of the Environment Management and Coordination Act (EMCA) to move back to the legal setback distance stipulated in Law or/as stated, as a condition in the EIA licence where this has been issued. This activity will continue for facilities where the notices issued have lasped and at a cost to the proponent of these structures," read part of the statement.
[caption caption="Notice by NEMA issued on 6/8/2018"]
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