River Sabaki Riparian: (SRA) continues with the fight

Machakos County CEC for Environment Hon. Morris Aluanga has ordered that a wall under construction by the developer of 360 Apartments should be brought down.
In October 2020 the developer began building a perimeter wall that would restrict the natural water flow of Sabaki River.
Following a meeting convened by Hon. Aluanga and a site visit to the development that straddles Katani Road and Community Road, the county government will issue a report and make further orders. Syokimau Residents Association’s legal team will initiate contempt proceedings should the developer resume the construction.

The association has been engaged in a spirited fight to protect the riparian land since 2015. One of the key concerns is non-provision of a water channel during the construction of 360 Apartments. The matter ended up at Machakos High Court and a judgement delivered on May 26, 2015. Part of the ruling states:

“The 1st respondent be and is hereby restrained by the way of permanent injunction from further construction of the perimeter wall and apartment blocks 15 & 18 until it constructs a stormwater drainage channel according to the approvals by the 2nd respondent dated June 2012.”

Sabaki River, which meanders through Syokimau Estate, was supposed to be a seasonal water body. It has now become permanent, thanks to raw effluent discharge from industries along Mombasa Road and some gated communities.

Parts of Syokimau will become inhabitable swamps if impunity reigns on environmental matters. SRA’s environment team will not relent in its fight against the onslaught on riparian lands by developers.