Nairobi-based architects on Wednesday, March 27, revealed some of the tricks used by tycoons to beat county government rules and set up businesses such as petrol stations near residential areas.
In a joint-media briefing held by the Architect Association of Kenya, the sector players pointed out that the owners disguise their businesses as commercial centres by adding mini shopping malls and hence are granted the permits.
This flouts regulations published by the Nairobi County Government requiring petrol stations to be located outside a 200-metre radius of residential premises.
The second trick involves hiring people who don't live within a neighbourhood to engage in fictitious public participation processes.
Public participation is a mandatory regulation before any infrastructural project within a residential area is granted a permit. It involves taking into account the views of the public during the decision-making process.
He added that in some instances, the business owners disregard the rules and don't conduct public participation altogether.
The third trick involved the alleged collusion with the county officials at City Hall to allow a project to continue despite objections raised.
"Petrol station owners beat the system to set up the facilities next to residential areas by coming up with mini shopping malls to provide multiple services to clients," Ndirangu Maina, an association member stated.
"We got responses from the county government and they said they had not received applications yet. We thought the matter had died until we saw classified ads in the newspapers whereby they drop the name of petrol stations and say commercial centres, shops and offices.
"Let's ensure the law is followed. Don't ignore the process which says 'raise objections if you have any.' That process requires public participation which is a right. We know that at times public participation doesn't happen or if it does, the people who participate are not from the neighbourhood."
Florence Nyole, AAK President, echoed his sentiments and urged Sakaja to ensure the rules are followed by ridding the county of unscrupulous individuals bypassing the laws.
"We call upon Governor Sakaja to follow due process and deliver their promise to Nairobians to accord Kenya's capital its due dignity," she highlighted.
The joint-media briefing was in response to Sakaja's remarks where he removed the height restrictions of Nairobi's buildings.
