This archive report was first published on 20 September 2021.
Residents of Taza lane in Parklands, Nairobi, are up in arms over a multi-million shilling construction project that they claim was approved without their consultation. The project, which involves the development of 91 four-bedroom apartments, has raised health concerns due to the lack of a sewerline in the area.
According to residents, the project was approved by Nairobi Metropolitan Service (NMS) despite the absence of a sewerline, which will accommodate more than 700 people once completed. They are worried about the health implications of the project and have called on NMS and Nairobi City County Assembly (NCCA) to stop the project immediately.
Residents have also accused the police of harassing them and siding with the contractor, Ameey Homes Limited, which they believe is doing illegal constructions. They claim that the police have arrested them on trumped-up charges of stealing metals, which they say is an intimidation tactic.
Structural engineers and architects who were initially involved in the project have distanced themselves from it, with one engineer confirming that he terminated his services on May 21, 2021, due to a failure to sign a contract for work supervision.
Residents are now calling on the National government to investigate the project and stop it for the benefit of their health. They are also urging the DCI to investigate the project and subject everything to serious research and analysis.
