‘Displaced families to be given priority in Affordable Housing Programme’ – CS Kindiki
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has stated that families displaced by floods in Nairobi will be given priority in the affordable housing programme.
Kindiki made the comments during his tour of the ongoing reclamation, rehabilitation, and regeneration works on various sections of the Nairobi River Corridor.
Affordable housing has been a signature project for William Ruto's government, and, according to CS, the less fortunate who were displaced by recent floods in the city will enjoy top priority during the allocation period.
"40,000 households comprising 181,000 persons have voluntarily relocated from the riparian reserves of the Nairobi, Mathare, and Ngong Rivers and other mini tributaries of the Nairobi Rivers Ecosystem.
"The government has already honored the pledge to support each household with Ksh.10,000 per household to help them settle on alternative rental premises. The families will be given first priority in the Affordable Housing Programme," Kindiki said in a statement on X.
The former Tharaka-Nithi senator warned members of the public against constructing structures on riparian land.
"Erecting buildings and structures within the 30-metre riparian corridor is prohibited by law, clogs the rivers, and exposes dwellers on riparian reserves to grave danger of loss of life and property.
"To prevent re-encroachment, the reclaimed riparian reserves are being trenched, and fenced, and the planting of riverine ecosystem trees is underway.
"The reclamation of the Nairobi Rivers Ecosystem will boost security for communities living around it, eliminate the menace of illicit alcohol brewing and narcotic drug peddling, and flush out dangerous criminals who were using the encroached riparian corridors as their hideouts," he continued. 
Use of riparian land
He also revealed how parts of the riparian land will be utilised in Nairobi.
"The government will utilise paid labour from the local community and purchase seedlings from local Community Based Organisations (CBOs) and youth groups in the reclamation and regeneration of the riparian corridor ecosystem.
"Subsequently, the Nairobi Rivers will be unclogged, drained, and rehabilitated, with recreation facilities being established on both sides of the riparian reserves for access and use by members of the public for free," the CS's statement continued.
He said the government has noted with appreciation the cooperation of members of the public on the ongoing programme to evacuate persons who are present on riparian corridors within the Nairobi Rivers Ecosystem.
On his tour, Kindiki was accompanied by Nairobi security officials led by Regional Commissioner Katee Mwanza.
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