Kithure Kindiki Says Gov’t Will Intensify Crackdown On Those On Riparian Lands: “We’ll Remove Them”

• Interior CS Kithure Kindiki issued a warning stating that the government would use force against those occupying riparian corridors
• Kindiki emphasised that the government would not tolerate individuals who have built structures or engaged in farming within the designated riparian lands
• According to Kenyan law, as explained by Kindiki, it is prohibited to occupy or use any land within 30 meters of rivers
• The CS highlighted the importance of adhering to planning laws and regulations to safeguard riparian reserves

Didacus Malowa, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

Marsabit - Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has warned that the government will not hesitate to use force against those occupying riparian corridors.

During the national tree planting campaign on Friday, May 10, the CS acknowledged that many Kenyans had occupied areas designated as riparian lands.

Kindiki warned that the government wouldn't be lenient on those occupying the riverbeds, adding that it was partly to blame for the floods in the country.

"In many areas, people have built structures in riverbeds. You've seen in Nairobi, we've lost many lives due to people building in those riverbeds in Nairobi and other areas. This time, we've said they must relocate. The floods today have become more vicious and dangerous because of our inability to protect our riparian corridors.

This time round, the government has ordered all those people who've constructed houses, businesses, or those who are farming in the riparian corridors to vacate that corridor, and if they don't, we'll remove them by force," he stated.

What does Kenya law state on riparian land

Kindiki further explained that the Kenyan Constitution is critical about occupying the designated lands.

The CS revealed that as per the law, nobody is allowed to use or occupy any land less than 30 meters from rivers.

"They must leave the areas designated as river reserves according to the laws of our country, which state that you cannot build or undertake any development or farming within thirty meters of a river, but many of us in this country have disregarded our planning laws, we've encroached on riparian reserves," Kindiki stated.

Runda residents ask those on riparian land to vacate

Earlier, residents of the posh Runda estate formed a crisis committee to help their counterparts affected by floods.

Isaac Gitoho, a past chairman of the Runda Association and a member of the crisis committee, said that they are helping those affected by liaising with government agencies.

He acknowledged that people who had set up structures and homes next to the Ruaka River had contributed to the flooding situation.

The engineer said that encroachment into riparian land was not only a problem in low-income settlements.

He said they had conversations with those encroaching upon the Ruaka River's land and invited the Water Resources Authority to ensure the river was protected by removing illegal structures.

Proofreading by Asher Omondi, current affairs journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.