City residents living along riparian corridors assured of fair treatment in relocation plans
Governor Johnson Sakaja emphasised that riparian laws must be strictly followed to safeguard lives while ensuring that any affected residents receive fair compensation.
Residents living along riparian corridors in Korogocho have been assured of fair treatment as the Senate Committee on Lands, Environment, and Natural Resources reviews plans for possible relocations.
Governor Johnson Sakaja emphasised that riparian laws must be strictly followed to safeguard lives while ensuring that any affected residents receive fair compensation.
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The consultative session, held on Thursday, brought together Governor Sakaja, petitioners, the Nairobi Rivers Commission, and representatives from the Pumwani Riyadha Mosque Committee.
Discussions focused on two pressing matters: the potential relocation of the Korogocho community living along the Nairobi River Corridor, which has been declared a Special Planning Area, and a petition challenging the alleged conversion of Pumwani Majengo land from public to private ownership.
“The residents of Korogocho are very special to me, and any inhuman eviction is wrong. However, the law governing riparian corridors must be followed to save lives, and compensation, where applicable, must be fair,” Sakaja told the committee.
He assured Senators that no demolitions or survey pegging had been carried out in Korogocho, highlighting the importance of balancing residents’ rights with the county’s responsibility to protect life and property.
Governor Sakaja also drew attention to the repeated flooding in Nairobi, including severe events in 2016, 2020, 2023, and 2024, which have been worsened by unregulated construction, pollution, and climate-related rainfall changes.
He explained that the county has been advising residents along riverbanks to relocate to higher ground as a precaution, in line with a Cabinet resolution from April 2024.
The Nairobi Rivers Commission clarified that the designation of the Nairobi River Corridor as a Special Planning Area does not allow forced evictions.
Any relocation must follow due legal processes, including a resettlement plan and fair compensation.
Residents temporarily displaced during flood emergencies will be identified by National Government Administration Officers for compensation and prioritised for allocation in nearby social housing projects.
The committee concluded that consultations with relevant national ministries will be necessary before preparing a detailed report.
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