27 schools built on riparian land in city face demolition

A man salvages iron sheets in Kosovo, Mathare after the demolition of houses built on riparian land on May 29, 2024. [ Robert Tomno, Standard]

About 27 schools in Nairobi are on the verge of being demolished because they were constructed on riparian land.

This comes following a recent government directive that structures sitting about 100 metres from the waterways ought to be demolished.

Out of the affected schools, eight are in Makadara and Mathare constituencies, four in Kasarani, and three in Kamukunji, while Westlands, Starehe, Ruaraka and Roysambu have one school each.

Most of the schools are Unified Alternative Providers of Basic Education and Training (APBET) institutions. APBET institutions provide essential education services in informal settlements where government schools are scarce.

According to Dr Paul Wanjohi, a National Executive Committee Member of APBET, the move if effected could leave many learners out of school noting that many students have already dropped out of school after they were displaced by floods.

“Most students who attend these schools come from humble backgrounds and their households cannot afford fees in public or private institutions,” he stated.