Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko on Sunday issued a directive stopping the demolition of houses by the Nairobi Regeneration team until further consultations with President Uhuru.
“I have stopped the planned and ongoing demolition of houses by the Nairobi Regeneration team since it will affect most Nairobi residents who have no alternative accommodation,” stated Sonko.
In March, the Nairobi Regeneration Committee stated that at least 5,000 buildings in Nairobi worth more than Sh500 billion are earmarked for demolition.
According to Tourism CS Najib Balala, who co-chairs the regeneration team with Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko, most of the buildings are in Westlands and Kileleshwa.
Governor Sonko further waived rent arrears worth Sh172 million owed by tenants living in county-owned houses.
The County Chief made the announcement during workers’ prayer day at St Stephen’s Church, Jogoo Road ahead of Labour Day celebrations. Sonko pleaded with the tenants to pay rent on time going forward.
“In recognition and honour to our workers, I have issued a waiver of rent arrears owed to the Nairobi City County Government by our tenants. However, I’m appealing to tenants occupying Nairobi County Government houses to pay their monthly house rents on time without defaulting,” said Sonko.
City Hall owns 17,000 houses in estates which include Kaloleni, Jerusalem (Salem) Lumumba, Uhuru, Jericho, Ziwani, and Maringo.
Sonko also rebuked leaders who use church platforms to campaign and attack fellow leaders.
“Let’s not use church platforms to attack fellow leaders and also call for selective prosecution of corruption cases,” said Sonko.
