Hindu Religious Centre, Oshwal Centre in Nairobi's Westlands Area to be Demolished

Iconic Hindu religious centre Oshwal located in Nairobi's Westlands area is set to be demolished in the ongoing crackdown on structures built on riparian land.

Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko said the multi-billion shilling structure sits on top of a river and a notice of demolition has already been issued. Oshwal Centre is located near Sh900 million Ukay Centre, which was flattened on Friday morning.

Sonko said the Nairobi Regeneration Committee, which was formed by President Uhuru Kenyatta late last year has recommended demolition of about 4,000 buildings sitting on wetlands or along the river. The team is co-chaired by Sonko and Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala.

"We have already issued a notice to Oshwal management to vacate their property. We don't want to be malicious, we shall give them enough time to remove their belongings," Sonko said, as quoted by The Star.

He added: "We want to be as humane to avoid subjecting people to more losses".

So far major buildings in Nairobi including Java House Kileleshwa, South End Mall and Ukay Mall in Westlands have been brought down.

President Kenyatta on Thursday said the operation will continue and directed for the prosecution of government officials who approved setting up of such buildings.

"We will continue to demolish properties constructed on riparian lands, equally punish officials who made approvals for those properties."

“ I want to assure you that we are going after all those who issued those permits. Those ones will be prosecuted… Be they county officials, lands officials or NEMA officials, they will be prosecuted because they are equally to fault as those who build," said the President.

Director of Public Prosecutions Noordin Haji has since directed Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to open probe on the approvals and report within 21 days.