Waititu now says owners of buildings on riparian land are victims

Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu now wants demolitions of structures built on riparian land stopped and a committee formed to look into other available alternatives.

Waititu made the statement barely a day after he publicly opposed the demolitions and recommended that, instead, the rivers should be moved.

During a Tuesday night interview on NTV, the Kiambu County boss said it was unreasonable to bring down buildings sustaining the livelihoods of possibly over 30, 000 Kenyans.

“The owners of the buildings are innocent people who perhaps got loans from banks or received their retirement packages and invested in construction of the buildings,” said Waititu.

“They (building owners) are the victims… the mistake is not on their side because they received all the required documents needed for constructing the buildings from the necessary government offices.”

In the interview, Waititu reiterated and defended his remarks on moving rivers saying they should be redirected because “some of the owners of these buildings they’re demolishing will probably just die because they have no other sources of livelihood.”

“My suggestion to the people behind the demolitions is that they should first halt the demolitions and then form a committee that includes the building owners, engineers, architects, designers and a representation of the people,” said Waititu.

“This should be done so that, when a building is selected for demolition, this committee contemplates and looks into other available alternatives; demolitions should only proceed if this committee agrees that there is no other available alternative.”

The governor further recommended the arrest and prosecution of government officials who gave clearance for construction of buildings on riparian land.

Also Read: Waititu logic: Instead of demolishing buildings on riparian land, just move the rivers