7,300 Houses are set for demolition countrywide with Nairobi and Mombasa Counties recording the highest numbers of sub-standard houses.
Principal Secretary in the State Department of Public Works, Housing and Infrastructure, Prof. Paul Maringa stated the two counties are the most affected.
“Many of these houses that have been audited are not fit for human habitation,” the PS revealed.
Maringa insisted that the government had been forced to perform the demolitions because contractors failed to follow right procedures when putting up the building, therefore, endangered the lives of the occupants.
According to the Standard, Maringa cited that a total number of 12,185 houses had been audited to establish their suitability.
“Out of the total number of houses audited, 57 which have been condemned have been demolished and another 7,300 which have been put up on road and railway reserves will also be brought down,” he was quoted by the publication.
He added that those involved in the initial planning of the houses from the contractor, architects, and physical planners ought to adhere strictly to set building codes.
The PS also explained that in some instances private developers had grabbed public land and built structures on them.
So far, structures including Nakumatt Ukay, Airgate Mall, Java Restaurant and others have been brought down. Property worth billions that stand on riparian land is set to be demolished.
