Nema to pull down 100 houses built on riparian land

Anxiety has gripped plot owners at Manguo estate in Nyahururu town after they were issued with orders yesterday to demolish their buildings.

The 30-day ultimatum by the National Environment Management Authority (Nema) requires all property on River Uaso Narok riparian land to be brought down.

Over 100 houses are set to be demolished.

Already, Nema officials from Laikipia and Nyeri counties have toured the area and marked the condemned buildings.

The officials have also put on notice petrol stations polluting the river, threatening them with closure.

Yesterday, Laikipia Nema director Fanuel Musoga oversaw the arrest of several plot owners whose houses have no septic tanks and were polluting the environment.

“We have told all those who have encroached on riparian land to either demolish their buildings or we will demolish the buildings at their own expense," said Mr Musoga.

"No one should construct a house beyond the 30-metre limit as set by the law.”

He noted that it was in everyone's benefit to conserve the Uaso Narok River, which supplies water to Nyahururu town.

It also feeds the world-famous Thompson Falls.

“We cannot sit and watch as the river is polluted by a few individuals. All the landlords must comply with the law or we will take action.

“All landlords whose plots are not connected to the sewer system must construct septic tanks immediately. Most of them are emitting raw sewage which poses a threat to the health of the people," said the Nema official.