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Governor Evans Kidero may have sanctioned the controversial demolition of Karen shopping centre.This is after city Inspectorate officials claimed the governor ordered the demolitions of structures at the centre on January 9.
Assistant director at the city inspectorate Gideon Nzioki told the Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs that Kidero authorised the pulling down of makeshift kiosks through a memo dated January 2, 2014 to the inspectorate department.
The Lang’ata divisional commander Alphonse Kamau was then provided with vehicles, askaris and police to carry out the exercise.
This was part of a campaign to demolish illegal structures mushrooming in areas of Eastlands, Westlands, Parklands, Kileleshwa and other part of the city that Kidero apparently sanctioned through a memo dated September 12, 2013.
Three days before the demolition, area MCA David Mberia, who was allegedly assaulted during the demolitions, had stopped askaris from allegedly collecting Sh100 weekly protection fee from traders.
The divisional commander admitted they carried out the demolition, impounded traders’ items but claims they were accosted by rowdy armed youths.
The inspectorate officers argued there was directive on November 11, 2013 from their seniors that they would be held responsible for illegal structures erected in their areas of authority.
The committee investigated the incident and has recommended disciplinary action against two officers.
