Kilimani Tenant Displays His Dark Bedroom, Office During Day Time: "Ni Kama Pipeline"

 

Residents of upscale Nairobi neighbourhoods have decried the rise of uncontrolled development projects of high-rise apartments. Once prestigious, Nairobi estates are turning into concrete jungles courtesy of rogue developers. Why is Kilimani turning into a concrete jungle? The towering Kilimani, Kileleshwa, and Lavington apartments have strained resources. According to zoning by-laws in Kilimani, the highest buildings should be four stories high.  However, the one-time leafy suburbs are transforming into concrete jungles with buildings scaling up to 20 floors. One of the residents offered NTV a glimpse of his apartments but remained anonymous for fear that rogue developers would cause him harm. The family only gets natural sunlight in the living room area.  "It is almost 3pm, and the sun is shining, but the bedroom, study room and bathrooms are dark," said the reporter. The camera captured a towering building inches from the windows, blocking sunlight. "I moved into this area in 2018. It was a pleasant and clean area. I thought it would be my retirement place, but things started to turn as the developments started coming up." For visibility, the resident switches on the light or uses torches during the day, which is synonymous with Nairobi's most populous estate, Pipeline. Kennedy Karanja, born and raised in Kilimani, told TUKO.co.ke that the high-rise apartments overwhelmed existing resources. "We are now experiencing water shortages, and sewer lines are overstretched." Kenyans reacted to the report by saying: @felix_makinda: “Ruthless developers. They force you out of your home. Then go against existing zoning laws.” @mjuaji2003: “When we complain on social media about the lack of sunlight, privacy, trees, lawns, flowers, birds, playgrounds, clean streets, parking, and quiet, we're accused of snobbery.” @Kaysparks_: “Greed will be the end of our once glorious city. Cartels are overworking.” @TuJadili: “Pipeline spreading across Nairobi.” @Pkay_mo: “Pipeline is even better.” How is Kilimani similar to Pipeline? Pipeline estate, in Embakasi South constituency, is the most densely populated area in Nairobi county, with a population of 988,808 as of 2019. Developers maximised the limited space by packing apartments close to each other, blocking natural light. Cellphone reception is also problematic in the area. 

by  William Osoro