MP opposes demolition of unapproved buildings

Thika MP Alice Nga'ng'a speaking in Thika town during the awarding of scholarships to beneficiaries of Thika Education Trust Fund last month.The MP dared governor William Kabogo to demolish a single house built on land without title deed and with no building plans

Thika Town MP Alice Ng'ang'a has opposed plans by the county government to bring down buildings built without approved plans or those on plots with no title deeds.

Speaking to residents at the town, the MP said she will not allow Governor William Kabogo to commit an injustice to the people by destroying their livelihood.

Ms Ng'ang'a said residents should not be blamed for the lack of title deeds whose fault lies with Ministry of Lands and other Government agencies.

"I will not seat and watch as the property and rights of the people I represent are destroyed and violated. I dare the county government to demolish a single house and they will know I was also elected by the people," she said.

The MP thanked Lands Cabinet Secretary Charity Ngilu for closing down Thika and Kiambu land registries in order to digitise operations saying this will increase efficiency in issuance of titles.

Restore sanity

Ng'ang'a also said the county government should take the blame for failing to approve building plans on time hence forcing impatient land owners to go ahead and construct.

"I urge the governor to first put his Planning Department in order so they can offer efficient services before threatening to demolish houses which have not complied to set guidelines," she said.

The governor had issued this threat at a recent interview with a local vernacular radio station where he said his administration will not let insanity in the construction and land sector prevail.

Mr Kabogo also said any development undertaken on land that should have been left for public utilities will be demolished and the land reclaimed for public use.

"I call on members of societies and land buying companies to ensure they demand title deeds whenever they buy land since this is the only legal document that can prove ownership of land," he said.