MPs Oppose Demolition of Nairobi's Seefar Apartments, Want Nairobi Dam Drained
A section of Members of Parliament have opposed the planned demolition of Nairobi's Seefar Apartments over claims that it stands on riparian land.
Instead, the MPs want the water reservoir located near Seefar Apartments in Highrise Estate along Mbagathi Way destroyed to save the multi-million shilling building from demolition.
Led by Kipkellion West MP Hillary Kosgey and Peter Kihara of Mathioya, the leaders argue that the dam has been abandoned and is no longer useful. They say Nairobi Dam is now a sewer and poses health risks to people living at Seefar Apartments and surrounding area.
“Why can’t we do away with the dam in order to save the over 1,000 families that are living at Seefar Apartments? Is demolition the best way to go noting that such actions scare away investors from coming to our country?” Poses MP Kosgey.
“At what point did Warma and Nema decide that the apartments should be demolished yet they are the same government agencies that gave authority for construction?” he adds.
The Water Resources Management Authority (WARMA) and the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) have issued a demolition notice to owners of the apartments.
The two environment agencies however maintain that residents of the 288-unit property must vacate to avoid disaster.
“Our position on this issue in 2011 and today has not changed. If the developer had complied with conditions, we would not be here,” says NEMA Director General Geoffrey Wahungu.
“The truth is the people there are in danger, we do not want a case of Solai in Langata… the dam is even higher than the Seefar apartments,” says WARMA.
Comments (8)
Money has changed hands. Period.
We voted FOOLS.
Mpigs need to be send home. They are useless.
So Waititu's move-the-river-a-bit solution was practical and more sensible one after all? Just as Psalm says “the stone that the builders rejected will become the capstone". If this turns out to be the way forward NEMA/WARMA and other authorities will need to re-evaluate their textbook procedures and upgrade to become citizen friendly as well.
Dismantle NEMA and WARMA ASAP! Who issued the licenses in the first place? What kind of garbage heads are in these two institutions? Why doesn't the government disband the two agencies like yesterday? The ongoing demolition of structures is a sure indictment of the incompetence of these bodies and the government of the day. Both have failed in carrying out a central tenet of any government worth it's name anywhere on the planet - PROTECTING LIFE & PROPERTY.
If the Apartments are on riparian land, the building should be demolished. No double standard. If the investors broke the law or engaged in corruption to evade it, they should suffer the consequences. The dam is more important than the Apartments. It does not matter if the dam is neglected or not. If Kenya has demolished other buildings for the same reason, this one should be demolished too. Let the investors follow the law, if they can't they should stay away. Investors, you are getting what was coming to you.
God give Kenya leaders not politicians. God help Kenya!!!
They r coming down.This appartments found the dam there whether it's in use or not.Its that simple mpigsssss.Fighting corruption have to continue.Am personally waiting for GEMs suites appartments along state hse road which belong to mwizi kidero to be brot dwn which r worth billions to come down too?The redegeration committee need to ask for help tuchangeee hizi buildings they come dwn.
We might now start building at langata ... MPs will be like heeey watu let’s move the dead 💀 to save buildings.....: 🥵😡🥶🤬