Government suspends demolition of properties countrywide

Kenyans can now breathe a sigh of relief after the government suspended all demolitions that were to take place across the country.

The governments order came just hours after Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko had announced that all demolitions in Nairobi should stop with immediate effect.

In a statement, Head of Public Service Joseph Kinyua said a decision to stop the removal of illegal structures was arrived at after talks with State agencies and other stakeholders.

Kinyua added that consultations will be done with stakeholders.

The notice came just hours after Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko issued executive orders stopping the demolition of all buildings including those built on disputed parcels of land.

Sonko issued the executive orders after holding talks with President Kenyatta who is out of the country.

Speaking at City Hall after meeting families whose houses were demolished, Sonko said he had stopped the demolitions including houses built on road reserves and those sitting on Kenya Power line reserves.

Dozens of the displaced families from Kayole, Dandora and Umoja areas who sought refuge at the governor’s office narrated their plight to the Governor accusing faceless individuals of using the courts to dislodge them from their homes.

The most recent demolition was that of the multi-million shilling Grand Manor Hotel in Gigiri where the court ruled that the hotel posed a security threat to the United Nations offices neighbouring it.

Other buildings that have been brought down in Nairobi include Java House and Shell Petrol Station in Kileleshwa, Ukay Mall, Airgate Centre (Taj Mall), South End Mall and a section of Visa Oshwal Centre.