Some of the buildings that have been put up next to Ruaka River in Kiambaa. The County Government of Kiambu has issued developers with orders to meet the required building standards. [Photo: John Karume/Standard]

Kiambu County has ordered the demolition of buildings put up on wetlands and near river banks.

County Director of Physical Planing John Mbau, says most of the affected buildings had their plans irregularly approved by the defunct town and county councils.

“Most of the approvals were done through the backdoor by the local authorities, but as a county, we are moving to all areas across the county to prevent new constructions in such locations from coming up,” said Mbau.

A visit to the Kiambu townships of Ruaka, Ndenderu and Kabete reveal many houses have been constructed on wetlands and near river banks.

Mbau said the county government has been holding sensitisation workshops across the county to inform the public about the issues that must be addressed before developers can move to site.

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Speaking last Saturday during a sensitisation workshop, Mbau said most of the affected developers had already been issued with orders to comply with building regulations. Some buildings, he said, will be demolished.

“For instance, there is a five-storey building in Ndongoro, Kabete which will soon be brought down,” he said.

The Ndongoro building had been put up on a wetland and the owner is alleged to have used sub-standard materials, which led to the building tilting and affecting an adjacent building.

Director of Housing and Community Development Dominic Muchemi said that the county is working with the National Construction Authority, Engineers of Kenya and other professional bodies to ensure all up-coming buildings have met the required standards.

Muchemi acknowledged that most developers in the county are not seeking services from professionals when coming up with new buildings.

The director advised potential developers to ensure they engage professionals in all fields as this will prevent loss of lives and investments.

Kiambaa Sub-County Physical Planner Dennis Abuga, noted that about 50 per cent of the buildings that are currently being put up in the area have not met the required standards.

He also announced that they have recovered 21 plots, which had been grabbed by developers in Kiambaa during the reign of local authorities.