Surveyors Support River Conservation but Question Nairobi Demolition Process

The Institution of Surveyors of Kenya has endorsed government plans to reclaim and protect river corridors in Nairobi, while cautioning that ongoing demolitions must be conducted lawfully and with respect for property rights.
In a statement released Tuesday, the institution said it fully supports measures aimed at safeguarding water catchment areas and addressing persistent flooding, including the ongoing Nairobi Rivers Regeneration Project. However, it warned that enforcement actions should adhere to constitutional and legal procedures.
The comments follow increasing public discussion over structures marked for demolition on riparian land after recent remarks by Johnson Sakaja.
According to ISK, the management of riparian reserves has for years been complicated by unclear and conflicting legal definitions. The institution noted that varying technical standards and land laws have resulted in inconsistent interpretation of riparian boundaries, fueling disputes and illegal encroachment.
“Effective management of riparian reserves has been hampered by inconsistent definitions and measurements,” said ISK President Eric Nyandimo.
While emphasizing the need to preserve the environment, the surveyors argued that not all riparian land should automatically be treated as public land. They maintained that some sections may legally belong to private individuals depending on how the land was surveyed, allocated and registered.
The institution stressed that where land was acquired legally and developed in good faith, the Constitution requires that affected owners be compensated before being deprived of its use.
“Where land was lawfully acquired and developed in good faith, any action that deprives an owner of its use amounts to compulsory acquisition. This requires proper valuation, notice and prompt compensation,” Nyandimo stated.
At the same time, ISK clarified that illegally acquired land or structures erected unlawfully should not qualify for compensation, adding that such developments can be removed as long as authorities follow due legal procedures.
The surveyors further attributed Nairobi’s frequent flooding to broader urban planning failures, including poor drainage infrastructure, uncontrolled construction and destruction of vegetation along riverbanks.
They called on authorities to adopt long-term solutions beyond demolitions, including improved drainage systems, mapping of flood-risk areas and stricter enforcement of zoning and development regulations.
Among the proposals put forward by the institution are harmonization of laws governing riparian reserves, establishment of clear technical standards for measuring boundaries and increased public involvement in enforcement decisions.
ISK also recommended a nationwide exercise to map and profile riparian corridors through licensed surveyors, alongside publication of official boundary plans to guide future development.
Nyandimo said the institution is ready to collaborate with government agencies and communities to ensure river restoration efforts are implemented in a fair, lawful and technically accurate manner.

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