Only obeying the law can ensure our security
News that a security audit report of the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) recommends the demolition of private property near the Wilson Airport is likely to send shockwaves across Nairobi.
The report raises serious security and safety issues regarding several developments around the city’s second largest and busiest airport.
According to the report, private developers have put up high-end apartments and commercial properties right next to the runway, compromising the safety of aircraft landing and taking off.
Should an aircraft happen to overshoot the runway, it risks ploughing right into the residential houses, resulting in injuries and even deaths.
According to one of the developers, all the approvals were obtained from the relevant authorities, including KCAA, the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) which manages Wilson Airport, the National Environmental Management Authority (Nema) and City Hall.
Housing Finance Corporation of Kenya (HFCK), one of the finance institutions that has partnered with the developers to offer mortgage to potential buyers also maintains that all the necessary approvals were obtained.
This begs the question, why would KCAA grant approvals for the development of such property only to turn round and recommend their demolition?
KCAA Director-General Hillary Kioko recently told the Public Accounts Committee that it did not have the title deeds for all its property, raising the possibility that unscrupulous individuals could have laid their hands on some of its property by forging documents and selling it to unsuspecting third parties.
Coming at a time when we are grappling with serious security threats including terrorism both in Nairobi and the country at large, every effort must be made to ensure that those charged with managing our institutions do so in strict adherence to the law.
This way, hardworking Kenyans are not exposed to the possible loss of their hard earned investments and public security is not compromised.
This includes the whole process of issuing title deeds and the relevant approvals for property acquisition and development.
It is also imperative that one carries out proper due diligence before investing in any venture.
nneditor@ke.nationmedia.com