Don't Demolish Buildings, Move the Rivers Instead - Governor Ferdinand Waititu Tells Gov't [VIDEO]

Don't Demolish Buildings, Move the Rivers Instead - Governor Ferdinand Waititu Tells Gov't [VIDEO]

Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu has reacted to the ongoing demolition of  buildings by the government in Nairobi.

In a video that has since gone viral on social media, Waititu has asked the government to stop bringing down the expensive structures sitting on riparian land and instead “move the rivers.”

Waititu said he does not support the demolitions since they leave owners counting losses.

“Kama watu wanasupport ubomoaji, mimi hapana support. Mambo iangaliwe kama kuna nyumba yako imekaribiana na mto, wewe uambiwe ni gharama yako kuhakikisha hiyo mto imesonga kidogo. Lakini kubomoa nyumba is not a solution. Honestly speaking. It’s such a big loss,” Waititu said.

Last week saw some expensive buildings including Ukay Mall, parts of Hindu Religious Centre Oshwal, Java House restaurant and the South End Mall flattened.

On Friday, President Uhuru Kenyatta said that in addition from demolition, government officers who approved the setting up of such buildings on wetlands will be prosecuted.

Speaking at a church service in Nairobi on Sunday, the President further said he had lost friends over the demolitions adding that he's ready to lose more.

“I have lost close friends over the war on corruption. We must be ready to lose friends and do what is right in the eyes of God,” the President said.

 

Comments

Anonymous UI (not verified)     Mon, 08/13/2018 @ 09:24am

Well Governor Waiting, we need to vote you out. Rivers are natural resources that belong to every Mwananchi. Water is life. We have to protect our natural resources. We cannot protect corruption. Those who have money cannot be allowed to buy their way into destroying our natural resources. You were voted in to protect the public not the few rich individuals. This is a wave to wipe out corruption and is you stand on its way, it will crash you. No matter how expensive those buildings are,they should be brought down if they are built illegally. God help Kenya!!

imkgoogo (not verified)     Mon, 08/13/2018 @ 10:49am

In reply to by Sokwe (not verified)

Riparian is not necessarily public, but whoever owns the land has a responsibility to protect it. One cannot block a River just because you own the property. Waititu should be explaining to Kiambu residents on the regulations that he is putting in-place to protect the wet lands, and the environment as well.

Sokora (not verified)     Mon, 08/13/2018 @ 02:06pm

In reply to by imkgoogo (not verified)

Here is the definition of riparian: "Riparian rights. Under riparian law, water is a public good like the air, sunlight, or wildlife. ... The land below navigable waters is the property of state, and subject to all the public land laws and in most states public trust rights." Therefore, riparian is public.

Ben (not verified)     Mon, 08/13/2018 @ 09:44am

Uhuru should be consoled. If Waititu is the kind of friend he is losing, he is better off... This so called governor's stupidity might be contagious!

Romeo23 (not verified)     Mon, 08/13/2018 @ 09:53am

Wau nxt when it is hot we move the Sun away na ikiwa baridi tunafuruta iyo Jua..Baba yao..Nature..they call it Mother nature..you might be 20% Right

Sokora (not verified)     Mon, 08/13/2018 @ 09:58am

If the buildings on public land are not demolished, the government will be indirectly endorsing corruption. So, any property corruptly elevated on public space must come down. If you must demolish a kiosk build on a roadway, you must demolish a building on a riparian. If you must lynch a chicken thief, you must equally lynch a corrupt official who rapes public coffers.

Kenya (not verified)     Mon, 08/13/2018 @ 11:10am

Ujinga mtupu Waititu. Where do you want the rivers to be moved to? Aren't there buildings and people on that side. Let the rivers flows according to mother nature design. You cannot fight mother nature.

James wriggle (not verified)     Mon, 08/13/2018 @ 01:46pm

I guess it’s hitting too close to home for the thieves. They are ceasing to make simple sense. We are at number 38.8 of the 40 thieving days😮

Godhavemercy (not verified)     Tue, 08/14/2018 @ 10:36am

Is this man a governor????????? Pure stupidity. Go sit down somewhere and grab a beer. Please use your head and the little intellect you possess before spewing such bull. All illegal structures ought to be demolished regardless of the ownership. If you start looking at the ownership it is the same con game as usual. Take care of all illegal structures on public land then go after all those corrupt officials who approved the paperwork. So much corruption, so little time. The time is now!!!!! Show us more results and less bull.

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