Residents of Kilimani estate on Tuesday, February 7, called upon Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja to intervene amid concerns of water shortage and a possible sewage crisis in the area.
The residents of the once-considered Nairobi’s posh estates raised an alarm about the influx of high-rise buildings and population in the area.
Speaking through their representatives, the residents noted that developers had disregarded by-laws regulating the construction of property in the city.
To their disadvantage, however, the social amenities were not expanded to match the requirement of the increased population. The high population, they noted, outstretched amenities including water supply systems and sewer lines from the residential units.
They claimed that a section of the population residing in the estates has been dependent on water from privately owned bowsers for over a year since the Nairobi water does not reach all units.
In addition, the residents warned the government of the danger facing its commitment to clean up Nairobi rivers, adding that sewage systems from their units are drained into a nearby river.
Residents now project an even worse situation with more dire repercussions should the government fail to intervene.
“There is no way we can continue with this trend and expect that we will still have a sewer line in Nairobi,” one of the representatives told NTV.
In January 2023, the native residents of Kilimani raised yet another alarm call after a private developer advertised an upcoming project seeking to erect housing blocks with 16 floors and over 200 units.
According to an advert seen by Kenyans.co.ke, the project would comprise bed-sitters, one-bedroom and two-bedroom units to signify a notable departure from the regulations that prevented the construction of high-rises in the region.
While responding to what they feared to be a gradual development of a slum in the area, the residents called upon the government to enforce the by-laws that regulate the construction of houses in different parts of the city.
The government has expressed its intention to ensure access to affordable and decent housing. However, the question of the availability of water and other social amenities remains an obstacle.
The government looking to suffice the shortage through the construction of dams in the satellite counties neighbouring Nairobi's metropolitan area.
