A Section of Houses in Peponi View Estate, Westlands, Marked for Evacuation
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Residents of the upscale Peponi View Apartments have been given a week to vacate their homes or face potential damage caused by structural cracks.
The issue came to light after a 31-second video went viral on social media, drawing attention to the houses at risk of collapse due to excavation work on a neighbouring plot. On Tuesday, as excavation activities began, the wall separating the apartments from the construction site allegedly began to show cracks. Everest Court apartments were listed for sale at an asking price of Sh85 million per five-bedroom unit, as noted in a Facebook post dated 2019. Monthly rent for the same unit type was listed at Sh300,000.
A team from the National Environment Management Authority (Nema) and the Kenya Red Cross were present on Thursday night to evaluate the situation. Officials from Nairobi City County also arrived and labelled the affected buildings, alongside two neighbouring flats, as non-compliant due to the developer's and contractor's failure to abide by regulations. Many occupants expressed their unease despite no reported injuries or fatalities. Swiftly, occupants were advised to vacate their homes, with four families evacuated and one while doing so before the authority's departure.
Both the district administration and the developers are at fault for not following proper procedures, resulting in a dangerous situation that has put lives at risk. The neighbouring developer is also responsible for making matters worse by failing to backfill, which further weakened the already unstable walls. The tenants reported living there for almost six years without any problems until the neighbouring developer started construction.
Despite this, Mr Alvin Olando Palapala, the chairman of the county assembly's planning committee, admits that they had received complaints concerning the unauthorized approval of specific structures in Nairobi and are actively looking into the matter. Mr Palapala reveals that Mr Patrick Analo, the acting county secretary, had informed him about the situation at Peponi View but he was currently preoccupied with another task related to the matter.
Mr Analo holds the position of Chief Officer overseeing Urban Development and Planning. Additionally, he is responsible for approving construction projects.
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Ni kwa Ajili iliJengwa Peponi; Built in the Windpath (but Without Foundation).
*Hata utaJuaje kama MaPepo👹👺Peponi yamePitia ndani.🙄
Wah!
Maddening
Sad that govt and it's officers can't assure safety and quality of high value investments. Someone paid using taxpayers money is hurting the same taxpayers sweat and tears. Real estate industry needs a ppls revolution if that is possible.