Former Embakasi South MP Irshard Sumra has written to President Uhuru Kenyatta, requesting for his intervention in the ongoing demolition of buildings on riparian land in Nairobi.
President Kenyatta on Sunday revealed that he had lost many friends in recent weeks who were opposed to the demolitions.
“Over the last few weeks I have lost many friends. Many have called me asking ‘how can you be watching when all the destruction is going on?’ I say a time has come to fight impunity," said Kenyatta.
Sumra argued that some of the by-laws used by the County Government of Nairobi in demolishing the buildings are outdated.
"I hope this note finds you well. After posting you the first petition I have been receiving many calls and I am appealing for you to kindly save the situation. Most of the by-laws used by the county are outdated. They are using them to frustrate developers," read part of his petition to the President.
The former MP urged the President to use his power to stop the demolition, threatening to mobilise the Asian community to close down their businesses in the country.
"Mr President your government has to take responsibility instead of turning a blind eye. I am sure you will use your executive powers to stop this exercise and call for a stakeholders' meeting immediately," he added.
Sumra's remarks have elicited mixed reactions among Kenyans. Here are some of the comments posted on the United States of Kiambu Facebook page:
Nahashion Nganga said: "Asians are also Kenyans, if they are on the wrong side of the law, let them face it."
Paul Mwangi said: "Wachina wameshakuja, wacha wafunge."
Geoffrey Mucheru said: "Don't mobilise Asians, let us then call them land grabbers..No more corruption."
Njuguna Gitau said: "If you mobilise them to close their businesses, who will be creating a scene? Will they make more profit? Let them close."
Jose Njuguna said: "We don't blame him, we blame the culture which raised him, this is Kenya and we obey the president period."
Ken Simiyu said: " This is not right, if they care about this country, they should be supporting the president and not the other way round."
Saruny Ole said: "Let them go if they want, we won't resist."
Jogan Kezily said: "Then they are the faces of impunity, the drivers of corruption and exploitation of people,"
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