Government should do more than just demolishing buildings

Ukay Centre in Westlands, Nairobi, is one of the building demolished by NEMA as it moves to reclaim riparian land. [File, Standard]

The ongoing demolition of houses built on riparian land is welcomed. With climate change and ever more erratic weather patterns, the sooner we take defensive measures against flooding in Nairobi, the better.

However, the demolitions also raise two very important questions. First, how did people build on riparian land to begin with? And second, what else are we doing to prevent future floods beyond demolishing houses encroaching on natural drainage channels?