ISK BACKS RIPARIAN PROTECTION BUT WARNS AGAINST UNLAWFUL DEMOLITIONS WITHOUT COMPENSATION IN NAIROBI.

BY NJOKI KARANJA. 

 In a statement released in Nairobi today,the surveyors’ body said initiatives under the Nairobi Rivers Regeneration Project are critical for restoring ecosystems, controlling floods, and promoting sustainable environmental management. However, ISK cautioned that inconsistencies in the definition, measurement, and enforcement of riparian reserves have fueled disputes, encroachment, and public backlash, particularly following recent demolition of structures along river corridors.

Referencing remarks by Johnson Sakaja, ISK rejected the blanket classification of riparian reserves as public land, noting that some parcels adjoining water bodies are privately owned and were lawfully acquired under previous legal frameworks. The institution emphasized that property rights protected under the Constitution must be upheld, warning that retroactive application of new riparian boundaries without due process amounts to compulsory acquisition and requires prompt and full compensation. It stressed that landowners with valid titles and approvals should not be subjected to arbitrary demolitions, while distinguishing such cases from illegally or fraudulently acquired land, which does not qualify for compensation.

The surveyors further cited conflicting laws, unclear reference points such as riverbanks and high-water marks, and lack of harmonized standards across statutes as major challenges undermining effective riparian management. To address the crisis, ISK called for urgent alignment of legal and technical frameworks, standardized setback distances, and comprehensive mapping of riparian reserves by licensed professionals. It also urged strict adherence to due process, including public participation, issuance of adequate notices, and respect for administrative justice.
At the same time, ISK linked the recent flooding in Nairobi to broader planning failures, including blocked drainage systems, overdevelopment, and environmental degradation, proposing solutions such as geospatial mapping, improved stormwater management, and enforcement of zoning regulations. The institution reaffirmed its commitment to working with government agencies and stakeholders to ensure that environmental protection measures are both scientifically sound and constitutionally compliant, warning that sustainable management of water resources must not come at the expense of property rights, public confidence, and the rule of law.

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