Sakaja Issues Ultimatum to Residents on Riparian Land as Demolitions Begin

By Kasuku David, Taifa Leo News

Nairobi, March 19, 2026

Johnson Sakaja has issued a stern ultimatum to residents and developers occupying riparian land across Nairobi, ordering them to vacate immediately or face forced demolition as the county intensifies efforts to curb flooding.

Speaking during an inspection exercise in Westlands near the Westgate area, Sakaja said the government will no longer tolerate illegal structures built along riverbanks, warning that enforcement operations are already underway.

“Those living on riparian land must move voluntarily. If not, we will remove the structures without hesitation,” he said.

The directive follows the submission of a 48-hour action report by the Infrastructure Subcommittee under the Implementation Committee on the Cooperation Agreement, which Sakaja chairs. The report outlined urgent interventions to address persistent flooding in the city.

County teams have since launched demolitions targeting structures that have obstructed waterways, some of which had reduced rivers to narrow passages incapable of handling heavy rainfall.

In Westlands,

officials began reopening a section of river that had been confined into a culvert, restoring its natural flow to ease pressure during storms.

The crackdown extends to several hotspots, including Kirichwa in Kilimani, parts of Westlands, sections of the central business district, and downstream areas along the Nairobi River.

Heavy machinery has been deployed to clear debris, dredge clogged river channels, and dismantle illegal developments as part of a broader flood mitigation strategy.

Sakaja emphasized that the exercise will be continuous, with weekly progress reports expected to track implementation.

“This is a sustained operation.

We must reclaim our rivers and protect lives and property from recurring floods,” he said.

He also pointed to illegal dumping and non-compliance with approved building plans as major contributors to the crisis, calling on regulators such as the National Construction Authority to enforce compliance.

Meanwhile, the Nairobi Rivers Commission confirmed that multi-agency teams are working along key river corridors from Kabete Dam through City Park to Mathare, clearing encroachments and restoring riparian zones.

Authorities have warned that ongoing heavy rains could worsen the situation if urgent interventions are not maintained, underscoring the need for strict adherence to the eviction directive.