Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has insisted that he did not incite anyone not to leave riparian land near the Nairobi Rivers.
Speaking on Sunday, Gachagua said that during campaigns, they promised not to demolish people’s houses and that is what he was defending.
He went on to state that since the houses were demolished and people asked to move, the trees hey promised to build along the rivers are not there months several months down the line.
He insisted the country’s priorities are different from what Kenya Kwanza is focused on.
“Our priority as a country has been other things. We promised not to demolish people's houses. I was even taken to Senate, that I was inciting people not to leave water banks. But I was just defending what we promised people. Since the houses were demolished, no trees have been planted along the river bank,” Gachagua said during a media roundtable.
In April 2024, President William Ruto ordered the demolition of all structures that were built on riparian land along the Nairobi rivers.
The directive followed heavy rains that caused damage to property and structures along the river banks, including deaths.
“Consequently, the Cabinet directed that all members of the public residing within these risky areas are required to move out within 48 hours. These include areas near dams and other water reservoirs in public or private land, areas prone to mudslides and landslides and riparian lands along rivers and other water courses across the country.”
The government then promised to resettle the affected individual into affordable houses and convert the riparian spaces int recreational facilities in addition to planting trees along the river lines.
