The Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) Noordin Haji has weighed in on agencies implicated in the issuance of licenses allowing construction of buildings on the riparian land.
In a statement on Thursday evening, the office of the DPP announced that they held consultations with Environment CS Keriako Tobiko over the ongoing demolition of illegal structures and buildings in Nairobi.
Haji stated that he had learned of the demolitions reportedly enforced by the Nairobi River Regeneration Task Force through the media.
[caption caption="Controversial Southend Mall that is under demolition(PHOTO/COURTESY)"]
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"I have noted from the said media reports that the proprietors of the said buildings and structures have maintained requisite approvals before the commencement of the said buildings were granted by the relevant government agencies,
"I have directed the Director of Criminal Investigations to immediately commences a comprehensive investigation to establish the circumstances, procedures and persons who irregularly or illegally issued the approvals for the construction of any buildings on the riparian land,"reads the statement by the DPP in part.
The DCI has been required to submit periodical reports on the investigations after every three weeks for perusal by the DPP.
The directive came hours after President Uhuru Kenyatta declared that the task force shall continue with the ongoing demolitions.
The head of state also announced that individuals who issued permits to allow the construction of the illegal structures will be prosecuted.
"We will continue to demolish properties constructed on riparian lands, equally punish officials who made approvals for those properties. We are doing everything to discourage corruption. It is possible to do clean business in Kenya, this is what we want to encourage," stated President Kenyatta.
[caption caption="President Kenyatta looks at architectural impressions of an investment in Nairobi(PHOTO/COURTESY)"]
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