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| Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki |
The government will give first priority to families of Kenyans that have been affected by the evacuation programme in the Affordable Housing Programme.
This according to Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki who says 40,000 households comprising 181,000 persons have voluntarily relocated from the riparian reserves of Nairobi, Mathare and Ngong Rivers, and other mini tributaries of the Nairobi Rivers Ecosystem.
According to the Cabinet Secretary, the government has appreciated the cooperation of members of the public on the ongoing programme to evacuate persons.
“The government notes with appreciation the cooperation of members of the public on the ongoing programme to evacuate persons whose presence on riparian corridors within the Nairobi Rivers Ecosystem poses grave danger to their lives as witnessed during the torrential flooding last month.” He said.
He said the government has already honoured the pledge to support each household with Ksh.10,000 per household to support them settle on alternative rental premises.
The CS stressed that erecting buildings and structures within the 30-metre riparian corridor is prohibited in law, clogs the rivers, and exposes dwellers on riparian reserves to grave danger of loss of life and property.
Further he said, to prevent re-encroachment, the reclaimed riparian reserves are being trenched, fenced and the planting of riverine ecosystem trees is underway.
The Government will utilise paid labour from local community and purchase seedlings from local Community Based Organisations (CBOs) and youth groups in the reclamation and regeneration of the riparian corridor ecosystem.
Subsequently, the Nairobi Rivers will be unclogged, drained, and rehabilitated, with recreation facilities being established on both sides of the riparian reserves for access and use by members of the public for free.
The reclamation of Nairobi Rivers Ecosystem, the CS says will boost security for communities living around, eliminate the menace of illicit alcohol brewing, narcotic drugs peddling, and flush out dangerous criminals who were using the encroached riparian corridors as their hideouts.
He spoke when he toured ongoing reclamation, rehabilitation and regeneration works on various sections of the Nairobi Rivers Corridor.
The Nairobi security officials led by Regional Commissioner Katee Mwanza were present.
By Christine Muchira