The Nairobi Regeneration team has stated the ongoing demolition of buildings on riparian land will cost the Kenyan economy Ksh500 billion.
Appearing before the Senate Lands Committee, Tourism CS Najib Balala stated that already 5,000 buildings have been earmarked for demolition.
“The value of demolition of those buildings will be Ksh500 billion; that would be a major destruction on the economy," Balala stated.
He cautioned that before the multi-agency exercise proceeds, a serious discussion on policy, litigation and action should be considered a priority.
Paul Githiomi, a member of the committee asked the team to be fair to the innocent Kenyans, who had invested their resources and had legal documents to construct the buildings.
“It is so unfair that those bearing the pain and loss on all these demolitions are the ordinary and innocent Kenyans who were legally allowed to build those structures," Githiomi stated.
"We want to see justice served to the Kenyans,” he continued.
Reports by Capital News indicate Balala assured that the government is committed to ensuring that officials who issued the licenses are held accountable.
“Chair and members, I want to assure you that this matter is as sensitive to us as it is to you; the president is also really concerned about those innocent Kenyans," he stated
"I want to reiterate his commitment in dealing with any official who in one way or another was involved in allowing the construction of buildings on riparian land,“ Balala continued.
The Housing Principal Secretary, Hinga Mwaura, noted that no building would be brought down without a comprehensive report stating the authenticity of the exercise.
