Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu has come out to shed more light on why he has vehemently opposed demolition of properties on riparian land.

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Admitting he owns several plots in Nairobi which are situated on river banks, he said his opposition on the on-going demolitions was not personal but because he believed the issue can be resolved in a better way other than bringing buildings down.

"I am one of the landowners in Nairobi. I have pieces of land touching on the river but I have not built on them," he said speaking on Wednesday during Citizen TV's Day Break show.

"This is not personal, I have been a leader in this city. I understand the issues in Nairobi. I cannot just sit down and watch things happen," Waititu added.

The Governor reiterated his Sunday's comment that the river should be moved from its natural course-way instead of bringing the structures down, noting this was the trend in developed nations.

"If we canalise then, the river will follow the canal and property owners should meet the cost of canalising. This is not something new...if you go to Europe then you can see that it has been done.

I strongly believe if canalisation can be done then there would be no need of demolishing," he insisted.

Asked if he felt that his 'moving the river' remarks have been misunderstood by a majority of Kenyans who have bashed him, Waititu replied:

"No, people may not understand different scenarios, maybe they have not traveled as I have to understand how rivers can be canalised."

Waititu made remarks before details emerged that his wife Susan Wangare was among 15 people arrested by Nairobi City County officials over illegal construction of buildings in the capital.