MPs Oppose Demolition of Nairobi's Seefar Apartments, Want Nairobi Dam Drained

A section of Members of Parliament have opposed the planned demolition of Nairobi's  Seefar Apartments over claims that it stands on riparian land.

Instead, the MPs want the water reservoir located near Seefar Apartments in Highrise Estate along Mbagathi Way destroyed to save the multi-million shilling building from demolition.

Led by Kipkellion West MP Hillary Kosgey and Peter Kihara of Mathioya, the leaders argue that the dam has been abandoned and is no longer useful. They say Nairobi Dam is now a sewer and poses health risks to people living at Seefar Apartments and surrounding area.

“Why can’t we do away with the dam in order to save the over 1,000 families that are living at Seefar Apartments? Is demolition the best way to go noting that such actions scare away investors from coming to our country?” Poses MP Kosgey.

“At what point did Warma and Nema decide that the apartments should be demolished yet they are the same government agencies that gave authority for construction?” he adds.

The Water Resources Management Authority (WARMA) and the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) have issued a demolition notice to owners of the apartments.

The two environment agencies however maintain that residents of the 288-unit property must vacate to avoid disaster.

“Our position on this issue in 2011 and today has not changed. If the developer had complied with conditions, we would not be here,” says NEMA Director General Geoffrey Wahungu.

“The truth is the people there are in danger, we do not want a case of Solai in Langata… the dam is even higher than the Seefar apartments,” says WARMA.