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{
"id": 812176,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/812176/?format=api",
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"speaker_name": "Sen. Seneta",
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"speaker": {
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"legal_name": "Mary Yiane Senata",
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"content": "Mr. Speaker, Sir, pursuant to Standing Order 46(2)(a), I rise to make a Statement on an issue of general concern, regarding the notice to demolish houses allegedly built on riparian areas in Green Park Estate, Machakos County. Mr. Speaker, Sir, Green Park Estate, a residential development by Superiors Homes, sits near the banks of River Athi in Machakos County. As you may recall, during the most recent rainy season, River Athi broke its banks and, as a result, houses in the neighbouring Green Park Estate were marooned by water. Following this calamity, houses and property of residents were damaged, leaving the residents counting losses. Mr. Speaker, Sir, as if the flooding in the Estate and the loss of property was not enough tragedy, on 31st May, 2018, WARMA came calling on some of the residents of the Estate with the a 21 day notice to vacate the homes on the ground that the homes were built on riparian land. WARMA went ahead to earmark the houses for demolition. The estate developer, Superior Homes, went to court, arguing that the same authority and other government agencies had, in 2013, confirmed that the houses were outside the boundaries of minimum and maximum distance allowance in respect of the riparian land. Mr. Speaker, Sir, this confusion, whether intentional or otherwise, leaves a lot to be desired. The government agencies that cleared the developer to construct the houses several years ago are the same agencies that are now claiming that the houses are built on riparian land. Further, we note that there are very many developments in the country, especially in Kajiado, Nairobi and Machakos counties that sit on riparian areas, yet WARMA has not taken any action against the developers. This leaves me begging the question why Green Park Estate is the only target for demolition of houses. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate."
}