Demolitions: The law is on the side of genuine owners

A bulldozer demolishes a residential house in Mathare, Nairobi. The government is required to notify property owners or tenants to move out before embarking on demolitions. [PHOTO: BEVERLYNE MUSILI/STANDARD]

Bulldozers are bringing down condemned buildings in parts of Nairobi’s Eastlands as a result of the recent collapse of a building in Huruma Estate. Other buildings – I believe – were reduced to rubble to create space for the expansion of the Outering Road in Nairobi. Does the government issue notices before demolitions and also compensate legal owners of affected buildings? What should an investor do upon receiving a notice from the state to demolish his or her building for development purposes?

King’ori, Nairobi.