CS Duale stands firm on riparian land evictions despite MPs complaints

Environment Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has vowed there will be no turning back on the government's plan to evict individuals living on riparian land, regardless of protests from lawmakers or residents. 

Speaking before the National Assembly's Environment Committee on Tuesday, Duale firmly stated that the ongoing demolitions are essential for the clean-up of the Nairobi River and no one will be exempt. 

"If you have built on riparian land, we will demolish those structures, no matter your status," he said.

Mathare MP Anthony Oluoch and Ruaraka MP Tom Kajwang were among the MPs voicing concerns, accusing the government of selectively targeting informal settlements in the demolitions.

They questioned why the evictions were only taking place in low-income areas and warned that the 30-meter eviction guideline would displace large numbers of their constituents.

"Where does the Nairobi River start and end? Why did the demolition only occur where our constituents live? Are they lesser Kenyans? This government has discriminated against, tormented, and tortured our people simply because they live in informal areas," Oluoch said, criticising the government's approach. 

Cabinet Secretary for Environment Aden Duale appears before the National Assembly's Environment Committee in Bunge Towers, Nairobi, on October 15, 2024. (Photo: Ministry of Environment)

The MPs warned that enforcing the 30-meter rule would destroy entire neighbourhoods like Mabatani and Hospital Ward. 

"Every meter means lives are affected," Kajwang added.

On May 3, 2024, the Interior Ministry ordered the demolition of structures and buildings illegally constructed along riparian land near Nairobi following heavy floods witnessed in Kenya in April and early March.

The directive affected all those living within 30 meters of the Ngong, Mathare, and Nairobi rivers.

President William Ruto said that 27,000 people who were living on riparian land were relocated. 

According to Ruto, the government spent more than Sh300 million to provide an alternative shelter to those relocated from the riverbeds. 

However, there were complaints that not everyone was compensated.

A boy looks at the search and rescue operations on the rubble of a residential flat built on riparian land, that collapsed while undergoing demolition near the Mathare River, in Mathare, Nairobi, on May 14, 2024. (Photo: Thomas Mukoya/Reuters)

The demolitions attracted uproar from sections of the public, with homeowners claiming that bulldozers caught them unawares in their houses, leading to injuries and deaths. 

However, CS Duale stood firm before the committee, stating that the government's commitment to restoring the Nairobi River would continue without exceptions. 

He assured the committee that demolitions were happening across all areas built on riparian land and pledged a cleaner river within 18 months. 

"I want to assure you, we are not discriminating. The Nairobi River spans 47 kilometres, and so far, we have covered 27 kilometres," Duale said.

The Environment boss further stated that even factories, churches, and mosques would not be spared.

"Whether you have built a church or mosque on riparian land, we will demolish them—no matter how big you are, we are coming for you," Duale vowed.  

Despite opposition from MPs, Duale made it clear that the government's focus is on protecting the environment, leaving little room for negotiation on the evictions.

In September 2024, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki warned politicians against politicising the ongoing reclamation, rehabilitation, and regeneration of the Nairobi River riparian reserves.

The CS emphasised the government's commitment to the project, which aims to protect public safety and ensure the city's resilience to climate change.

Riot police officers disperse metal scavengers during the search and rescue operations on the rubble of a residential flat that collapsed while undergoing demolition in Mathare River, Nairobi, on May 14, 2024. (Photo: Thomas Mukoya/Reuters)