The Water Resources Authority has issued State House a 14-day ultimatum to demolish part of its perimeter wall encroaching on riparian land along the Kirichwa Kubwa River in Nairobi. The notice came during Tuesday's inspection by WRA CEO Mohamed Moulid Shurie alongside Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja and Nairobi River Commission officials. President William Ruto had already pledged compliance last Thursday.
During Tuesday evening's inspection, officials identified and marked sections of the State House perimeter wall encroaching on riparian land along the Kirichwa Kubwa River. A formal notification was issued to the institution requiring demolition of the affected portion within 14 days.
WRA CEO Mohamed Moulid Shurie stated, "We want to tell Kenyans, those who are already within the riparian, please move, before we come. We want to complete this exercise as soon as possible. You will be seeing us around."
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja welcomed the move, saying, “I want to thank the President. He is the primary tenant here and has led by example. If this wall at State House can come down, then every other structure along the riparian land must also be removed.”
President William Ruto had announced last Thursday at the Nairobi County Assembly, “We have received notice from the multi-agency claiming riparian land that part of the State House boundary, the wall along Kirichwa Kubwa River, falls within the riparian reserve, and it must come down. They have told me at least 15 metres from the high mark.”
The action is part of the Nairobi River Regeneration Programme, allocated over Ksh50 billion to restore riparian reserves, build pedestrian and cycling corridors, and develop public spaces.
