Why Kidero wants to relocate slum families in Mathare, Kibera
Families living in slums on riparian land near two rivers in Nairobi will be moved to school grounds during the El Niño rains.
County Executive for Environment Evans Ondieki said 200 public schools had already been identified to temporarily accommodate the families living in the Mathare, Huruma and Kibera slums.
Mathare and Ngong-Mutuini rivers cut across the three slums and some individuals have put up structures on riparian land.
Mr Ondieki said City Hall is making efforts to raise Sh2 billion for emergencies and other disasters expected during the rains.
The official said with families being moved to schools, learning would be disrupted.
DEMOLISHED
According to Mr Ondieki, buildings erected on the riparian land will be demolished.
There are several commercial buildings on the riparian land, which have been obstructing the flow of water, causing massive flooding in areas such as Mbagathi and South C estates.
The county executive spoke during an interview with KTN on Saturday night.
He insisted that the demolition of buildings had started in some areas. However, a spot check on Sunday showed that the buildings are still standing.
There are several other residential buildings erected along drainages. Although they have been marked for demolition by City Hall officials after the May/June rains, they are yet to be pulled down.
“We have expended the drainage system in South C and Donholm estates,” said Mr Ondieki, who is the chairman of the county’s disaster management committee.
The committee was constituted to work with the national government on modalities for mitigating destruction expected to be caused by the El Niño rains.
SH300 MILLION
The rains, weather experts have warned, are expected to start any time this month.
Mr Ondieki said the county government had set aside Sh300 million for emergencies and other tragedies that may occur during the heavy rains.
The county has so far used Sh50 million from this amount to clear drainages in various parts of the county
“We intend to raise more money from the national government and development partners,” said Mr Ondieki.
City Hall has identified areas where flooding is expected. It is here where it has sent a team of youths to clear the drainages.
Apart from the areas where rivers cut through, other hotspots are wetlands.
Last week, Governor Evans Kidero asked residents and property owners in the city to partner with his administration in ensuring minimal destruction during the rains.
He announced that the county government had set up emergency teams in all the nine sub-counties to help ensure safety during the period.
Dr Kidero said there is a need to partner with all the residents and property owners.
He said property owners are expected to remove deposits in open drains or within their premises.
