Demolition of structures on riparian land in Baringo to start next month – Lands CEC
Baringo county government has threatened to demolish structures erected on riparian land if owners do not comply with directives to vacate.
Speaking in Kabarnet town on Tuesday, January 17, 2023, Baringo's Lands CEC Reuben Rutto said the exercise will begin in a month's time.
The CEC and other stakeholders had on December 15, 2022, warned locals and developers over illegal structures erected in the county.
Rutto, who was in the company of Roads and Public Works CEC Lekonaya Kipwa and Municipal Manager Julius Bolei, oversaw the marking of all roads that had been blocked and buildings that have encroached on public land and road reserves in preparedness for the planned demolition.
Others present were multi-agency teams from the National Construction Authority (NCA), National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), National Land Commission (NLC) and County Commissioners Security office.
Rutto urged the locals to move ahead of their timeline and undertake the demolitions if they have buildings which are situated on riparian lands and other unauthorised spaces.
"It is better we follow the law, we're adhering ourselves with the development plan of 1979 which is very clear. The plots that were approved or any other thing that is not within our development plan is illegal including constructed structures,” he clarified.
He added that the development plan was to help deter land grabbing and evict land grabbers from public lands and also remove encroachments of buildings on road reserves.
Rutto emphasized on adherence to development controls noting that all developers in the county should always submit drawings for approval at the physical planning office to allow revenue service and promote authentication of plots before proceeding with construction.
He lamented that the county has many buildings and structures that do not follow NCA building regulations.
On his part, NLC County Coordinator for Baringo Kanata Japhet noted that they together with the national and county governments are working to boost infrastructure development which he said was critical for the economic growth of the county.
He noted that their aim is to see Kabarnet town thrive and function well in line with set standards for proper urban planning.
"We must open our towns so that we can spur economic growth there is no way a town can grow when it is blocked. We are opening up all roads to ease transportation and for easy accessibility, beautification of the town also comes in handy with this,” he said.
