State House Issued 14-Day Ultimatum to Demolish Wall Built on Riparian Land
The government has issued a 14-day ultimatum to several entities, including State House, to remove structures encroaching on riparian land along the Kirichwa Kubwa River, marking a significant escalation in efforts to reclaim Nairobi’s waterways and enforce environmental regulations.
The directive was announced by Water Resources Authority (WRA) Chief Executive Officer Mohamed Moulid Shurie during an inspection tour conducted on Tuesday evening. The exercise, which also involved Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja and officials from the Nairobi River Commission, identified multiple encroachments along the river corridor.
Addressing the media during the inspection, Shurie warned that enforcement would be swift and uncompromising. “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,” he stated.
Governor Sakaja welcomed the move, describing it as a demonstration of leadership and accountability at the highest level of government. He noted that President William Ruto had already expressed willingness to comply with environmental regulations.
“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,” Sakaja said.
The ultimatum follows remarks made by President Ruto last week, where he acknowledged that part of the State House boundary falls within the riparian reserve and would have to be removed. “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 President said.
The ongoing demolitions form part of the broader Nairobi River Regeneration Programme, a multi-billion-shilling initiative aimed at restoring degraded river systems, reclaiming encroached land, and improving urban infrastructure. The programme, which has been allocated over Ksh50 billion, seeks to transform Nairobi’s waterways into functional ecological and public spaces.
Officials say the project will go beyond environmental restoration to include the construction of pedestrian walkways, cycling paths, and modern public amenities along the riverbanks. These corridors are expected to enhance mobility within the city while providing safer and more accessible recreational spaces for residents.
In addition, the initiative aims to connect various parts of Nairobi through integrated green corridors, potentially allowing movement between neighborhoods such as Eastleigh and Westlands via scenic river pathways. Authorities believe this could significantly ease traffic congestion while promoting sustainable urban living.
The programme also includes plans for major infrastructure upgrades, including the redevelopment of Gikomba Market and improvements around key urban nodes such as Globe Roundabout. Previous efforts under similar initiatives have already seen sections of rivers like Kibagare reclaimed, with public parks under development.
Despite the ambitious scope, the enforcement phase is expected to face resistance from affected property owners. However, officials maintain that compliance is non-negotiable and that all encroachments, regardless of status, will be addressed.
The ultimatum to State House is being viewed as a symbolic turning point, signaling that even the most prominent institutions will not be exempt from environmental laws as Kenya intensifies efforts to restore its urban ecosystems.
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State House Issued 14-Day Ultimatum to Demolish Wall Built on Riparian Land
