NEWS

A total of 181,000 people have vacated the riparian areas along the Nairobi rivers since the government issued Public Security orders. The Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of Government, Professor Kithure Kindiki, expressed his appreciation for the cooperation of 40,000 households who voluntarily complied with the Public Security (Vacation and Mandatory Evacuation) orders issued on May 2, 2024. These households have moved out of the riparian reserves along the Nairobi, Mathare, and Ngong Rivers, as well as other smaller tributaries that form part of the Nairobi Rivers Ecosystem. Their compliance is a significant step towards protecting these critical natural areas from illegal encroachment and mitigating the risks associated with flooding and environmental degradation. “Prohibition of residence and activities within the Nairobi Rivers riparian reserves and the removal of unlawful structures there from remains an irreversible national security project,” Kindiki said. He reiterated the move aims to create resilience for the City of Nairobi to withstand the shocks of climate change and mitigate the loss of lives, property, and livelihoods in the likely event of future torrential rains and consequential flooding.  Last month, torrential rains and the consequential floods led to the deaths of more than 300 Kenyans and the massive destruction of property and livelihoods in many parts of the Country. In Nairobi, dozens of families tragically lost their lives in the dead of night when raging floodwaters swept through residential structures illegally built for rent within the riparian reserves of the Nairobi, Mathare, Ngong, and other tributaries that make up the Nairobi Rivers Ecosystem. Kindiki added the pain occasioned by the tragic loss of human life and destruction of family and business premises erected by unscrupulous persons for profit was more profound within the fragile Nairobi Rivers Ecosystem due to the obstruction, clogging, and the diversionary effect of the rivers on account of structures erected within the 30-metre riparian corridor protected in law.  “Against this context, the Government on May 2, 2024, invoked the provisions of the law on preservation of public security and issued a 24-hour notice for all persons residing or carrying out any activities within the 30-meter riparian corridor to voluntarily relocate or otherwise face compulsory evacuation for their security and safety,” he said. The Cabinet Secretary added that besides saving human life from destructive stormwater, reclamation of the Nairobi Rivers riparian reserves will boost security for communities living around. “This will also eliminate the use of river banks for the manufacture, sale, and consumption of illicit, toxic and harmful alcoholic drinks, peddling of narcotic drugs, and destroy the hideouts of dangerous criminals who have been using structures erected on inaccessible riparian reserves to plan criminal activities and to retreat there after committing crimes,” said Kindiki. To prevent re-encroachment, Kindiki announced that the reclaimed riparian reserves are being secured through fencing and trenching. This initiative aims to establish clear boundaries and create physical barriers that will deter future illegal construction and ensure the protection and preservation of these vital natural areas. He added that the process of unclogging, draining, and rehabilitating the natural waterways of the rivers is scheduled to begin shortly. This comprehensive exercise will involve removing debris and blockages that impede the flow of water, improving drainage systems to prevent future flooding, and restoring the ecological health of the rivers. The goal is to enhance the overall resilience of the waterways, ensuring they can support local ecosystems and better withstand extreme weather events. The Cabinet Secretary said the riverine ecosystem trees will be planted and recreational facilities established on both sides of the riparian reserves to be accessed and used by members of the public for free.  With the security officers accused of using brutal force, Kindiki said the relocation exercise has proceeded smoothly.  “Security personnel are under strict instructions not to use violence or otherwise mistreat members of the public. Members of the public must be allowed to vacate structures or premises that are the subject to removal and to retrieve their belongings,” warned Kindiki. He insisted the Public Security (Vacation and Mandatory Evacuation) orders of May 2, 2024, were issued in the national interest and purely on consideration of public security and safety.  “The Government will pursue to the end the national interest of the reclamation, rehabilitation, and regeneration of the Nairobi Rivers riparian reserves without any regard whatsoever for partisan, ethnic or other parochial interests,” he said.

The devastating impact of ongoing rains in Kenya continues to reverberate as tragedy struck early Monday morning, with more than 40 lives lost after a storm water blew through a clogged tunnel under the railway.