NEMA: We are not involved in the ongoing demolitions

The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has now distanced itself from the ongoing Nairobi demolitions.

Appearing before the Parliamentary Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, on Thursday 9 August, NEMA claimed that the demolitions were spearheaded by the Nairobi Regeneration project.

According to NEMA Director of Compliance, Zephaniah Ouma, the management is not involved in the exercise neither is the Water Resources Authority (WRA).

“It should also be noted that whatever is going on is not NEMA and is not WRA, it is the Nairobi Regeneration. And of course the technical department NEMA is giving is very key and where there is no contravention chair, there’s no grounds for the demolitions to be done,” said Mr. Ouma.

Thousands of buildings, owned by powerful individuals are being targeted in the demolition exercise that kicked off on Monday and is expected to last for about two months.

On Tuesday, Southend Mall along Lang’ata Road which authorities say it sat on Ngong River bed became the latest causality in the demolition exercise.