Residents of the Karen estate reached out to Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja over mushrooming rental apartments and bars that fail to conform to their standards.
According to a statement dated Monday, September 26, the Karen and Lang'ata Districts Association (KLDA) asked Sakaja to fast-track the urban development policies to help the area remain clean and safe.
The aggrieved residents argued that the area was witnessing an influx of bars and rental apartments exceeding the stipulated heights. Petrol stations and malls, they lamented, had also invaded the residential zone.
"The state of the Karen Roundabout (shopping centre) is in dire need of rehabilitation, and collaboration between KLDA and local authorities will see to it that sustainable solutions are derived," the residents stated.
"As KLDA, we call on the county government led by Johnson Sakaja and the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) to work together with KLDA and ensure that the Karen guidelines are adhered to and remain as stipulated when it comes to matters development within the Karen Ward, until such a time that it is reviewed," the statement read in part.
They also called on Lang'ata Member of Parliament, Felix Odiwour (Jalang'o), and Anthony Maragu, the Karen Ward MCA, to familiarise themselves by playing their oversight role in protecting the Karen estate from invasion.
"The Association of Architects of Kenya (AAK) is also directed to advice its members that there are guidelines in place and when planning or designing projects in the Karen area, they should ensure that the project proposals conform to the same," they stated.
The estate is synonymous with tranquillity, affluence and security. It houses top corporate officials and even political leaders, including President William Ruto, his Deputy Rigathi Gachagua and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
It also hosts the recreation centre, Giraffe Centre, Karen Blixen Museum, Brookhouse School, Banda School and Hillcrest School.
However, its grandeur has been fading away due to invasion by real estate developers. Nonetheless, the residents have continued to formulate their own policies to protect the area and preserve its prestige.
On August 2, 2022, a court ordered developers to halt the construction of a proposed 8-floor building proposed to host the Centre for Parliamentary Studies Training Centre.
All developers in the Karen area were asked to seek approval from the KLDA office.
