Sections of residents of Machakos County face looming losses after the county government announced a fresh wave of demolitions targeting structures built on riparian land.

🇰🇪 Breaking It Down

The county sounded a warning over the weekend, saying it would begin demolishing structures built along waterways almost immediately in a move aimed at restoring blocked drainage channels to reduce the risk of flooding.

Among the areas that will be affected by the latest enforcement action include several estates within Mavoko and its surrounding areas.

According to Mavoko Municipal Manager Josylyn Kauta, areas frequently hit by floods are 360 Estate, Kicheko, and Kincar, where residents have in recent weeks reported water entering homes, damaged roads, and disrupted transport following sustained downpours.

📌 What You Need to Know

The county noted that in recent months, there has been an emergence of structures which have been erected on riparian land, during the dry season, including perimeter walls and housing units. These structures have, effectively stood in the way of waterways, leading to flooding along key infrastructure like roads.

Kauta, speaking on behalf of the Machakos County Government, said authorities had already reached an agreement with a developer to begin opening up the waterways immediately.

“As the county government of Machakos, we have agreed with the developer to start work immediately so that we can create waterways,” Kauta said.

“We also understand that there are developers who have encroached on the waterways downstream. We have moved in and given notices of demolition,” she stated.

Enforcement will begin from the B-Energy petrol station, stretching through Kicheko and Silanga, with affected property owners expected to remove their structures before the county moves in.

She added, "This serves as a notice to all developers to start moving before we pull down their structures."

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke