Why many are waiting to see if Taj Mall will be demolished

Last month, the demolition of buildings sitting on riparian land and road reserves began in earnest.

The multi-sectoral committee with members drawn from the national and county governments have since brought down hundreds of structures owned by both the poor and the rich.

The demolition of the multi-billion shilling Southend Mall and Ukay Mall showed the authorities were prepared to walk the talk. There was no turning back, no matter the status or standing in society of the owner.

However, there is a feeling that the operation will not be complete if Airgate Centre, formerly known as Taj Mall, located at the junction of Outer Ring and Airport North roads, is not demolished.

The building sits on a road reserve and is the root cause of mind-boggling traffic jams witnessed there every day.

When the demolition notice was issued, a man came out guns blazing and dared the Government to flatten the property, but it is widely believed he is no longer the owner. 

Many Kenyans are waiting to see if the building will be brought down.