NEMA orders stop to illegal constructions in Nairobi Dam

The National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) has issued a cease and desist order to unscrupulous land developers who have been dumping materials from construction sites along the banks of Nairobi Dam.

The developers dump truckloads of soil and other construction waste along the banks of the dam and put up semi-permanent structures for rent on top, a risk for flooding when it rains.

River Ngong has suffered the same fate, with developers illegally dumping soil on the rivers, narrowing it and altering its course.

The Nairobi dam is in a sad state of affairs, it is choking with sewage, garbage and draped in water hyacinth.

On its once lush banks sit semi-permanent structures, a church, a garage and a slum settlement.

Upstream, these freshly dumped mounds of earth are waiting for a tractor to flatten them before yet another semi-permanent structure is put up.

There have been silent protests from neighbouring estates, but now NEMA has stepped in to put an end to these illegal activities with firm directions.

The authority has, for starters, called for cessation of any further dumping of materials from construction sites in the area to reclaim dam land, which is contrary to water quality regulations and waste management regulations.

It also wants all persons who have erected structures within the riparian land to remove them within 60 days.

NEMA added that any person claiming ownership of any parcel of land within the riparian land to share ownership details with the authority in 14 days.

Further, construction of illegal structures along the riparian area of Nairobi dam has been ordered to stop immediately.

In 2018, NEMA backed by then President Uhuru Kenyatta embarked on the demolition of property and structures built on riparian land in Nairobi, but soon lost steam after running into legal headwinds.

All eyes are now on the Nairobi Rivers’ commission appointed by President William Ruto to spearhead the cleaning and restoration of rivers in the city.