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Nairobi county government revokes 2,000 title deeds for property of unsafe land


The Nairobi county government has revoked over 2,000 title deeds of properties built on riparian land.

This comes after the county started demolishing houses built on river banks following the collapse of a building in Huruma resulting in the death of scores of people two weeks ago.

Speaking during the ground breaking ceremony for a community cooker in Kariobangi Social Hall Grounds, Governor Dr Evans Kidero said that the plots have been identified and the owners notified.

Dr Kidero said that the county had written to the Ministry of Lands to revoke the title deeds after which they will bring down the buildings on those plots.

“In Nairobi we have 2,000 plots that lie on riparian lands and we have already written to the Ministry of Lands revoking those title deeds. We want them to fast track the process so that we can continue with our work,” said Dr Kidero.

The Governor said that they will be working with National Environmental Management Authority (Nema), Ministry of Public Works, the National Youth Service and the Police Service to carry out demolition of unsafe buildings.

SEVEN-DAY NOTICE

“The mandate is on Nema and we will work with them to identify buildings that are built on riparian land,” Dr Kidero said.

Dr Kidero said that the county had passed a regularization bill that will see the houses built without approval inspected and approved while those that can be strengthen through reinforcement will be allowed to do.

However, he said that all houses that have been built on rivers and riparian land will be brought down despite their structurally correct nature.

He added that after the elapsing of the seven-day notice, the county will continue with the demolition exercise which had been suspended to give tenants to time get alternative places.

Dr Kidero said an audit of over 2,000 buildings in 2015 found 200 structures to be unsafe.

The governor also identified the Sh1 billion complex overlooking T-Mall shopping centre along Mbagathi road as one of those earmarked for demolition inspite of a court order challenging the directive.