Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu has yet again courted controversy.
The Kiambu County boss on Sunday during a service at PCEA Musa Gitau Gikambura church in Kikuyu constituency weighed in on the ongoing demolition of buildings either built on public spaces or on riparian land in the city.
He stated that he is not supporting the demolitions at all. Instead, he advised, buildings near rivers should not be demolished but the river should be "re-routed".
“Kama hiyo watu wanasupport ubomoaji, mimi hapana support. Mambo iangaliwe. Kama kuna nyumba yako inakaribiana na mto, wewe uambiwe ni gharama yako kuhakikisha hiyo mto imesonga kidogo,” he says in a video that has since gone viral on social media platforms.
In English, it loosely translates to: “There are people supporting demolition, personally I’m not. Things should be reconsidered. If your house is near a river, you should be told it is your onus to ensure that the river has moved a bit.”
Waititu added that bringing down the buildings is not a solution. “Kubomoa Nyumba is not a solution honestly. It’s such a big loss.”
His sentiments elicited mixed reactions from some Kiambu residents who questioned his rationale.
Last week, a number of buildings in various parts of Nairobi including UKay mall in Westlands were demolished.
The government says it will not relent on its fight against impunity in regard to grabbing of land.