A prominent city lawyer has castigated the Nairobi County and the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) for approving high-rise developments in traditionally low-density suburbs of Nairobi.
Writing on his social media account, Mr Donald B. Kipkorir of KTK Advocates said: “When the concerned officers of Nairobi City County & NEMA give approvals for such buildings in Kileleshwa & Kilimani against all planning laws, logic & decency, are they proud of what they have done? Do they go to their families & tell them what they have done? How do they expect these residents to get access to light, sufficient water, parking, sewerage discharge & children playground? These structures are poster children of corruption & human greed.”
The lawyer was irked by an image of a number of apartments apparently built close to one another against the background of bungalows.
In recent years, there has been accelerated construction of high-rise apartments in areas such as Kilimani, Kileleshwa and even Lavington. Critics of the regulatory authorities say the approvals fail to consider the availability of critical services such as water and sewerage besides the loss of serenity for those living in bungalows and maisonettes in these areas. But authorities have argued that the rapid growth in population has necessitated a rethink of physical planning to accommodate the increasing number of city residents.
In suburbs such as Karen and Lavington, residents have been vocal in opposing what they see as desecration of their once beautiful neighbourhoods.
