Protests over allocation of Nairobi fire station’s plot to private developer

A man walks past a fire engine outside the Nairobi fire station along Tom Mboya Street. Fire fighters Wednesday protested what they said was allocation of a plot at the station to a private developer. FILE PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

By  VENESSA NYASIO

What you need to know:

  • Officials from Rawi Group of Companies had Wednesday gone to view the plot where they intend to put up the kiosks.
  • The officials had a letter addressed to their managing director, Jerry Obonyo, by the Nairobi City County government.
  • According to Mr Liech the open space allocated to the developer is also meant for construction of offices for use by the fire fighters.
  • He said the devolved unit has been making countless efforts to push for the erection of the modern kiosks.

A plot where one of Nairobi’s fire station is situated has been allocated to a private developer who plans to put up modern kiosks.

This revelation has prompted protests from the civil society organisations.

The property is situated along Tom Mboya Street and is owned by the Nairobi City County government.

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Officials from Rawi Group of Companies had Wednesday gone to view the plot where they intend to put up the kiosks.

However, Kenya National Fire Brigades Association, Secretary-General Francis Liech led a group of fire fighters and security guards in chasing away the developer, saying the land has been set aside for fire fighters.

The association is a civil society that champions the rights of fire fighters.

LETTER FROM COUNTY GOVT

The officials from Rawi Group of Companies had a letter addressed to their managing director, Jerry Obonyo, by the Nairobi City County government.

The letter has authorised the company to use the open space at the premises to put up the modern kiosks.

“Following our site inspection in respect of your above request, you are hereby granted authority for temporary usage of the open space within the fire station,” reads the letter signed by Mr S G Mwangi on behalf of the county secretary.

According to Mr Liech the open space allocated to the developer is also meant for construction of offices for use by the fire fighters.

INVITED JOURNALISTS

Mr Liech, who invited journalists to the site accused Nairobi City County government of allocating the property to the developer.

He said the devolved unit has been making countless efforts to push for the erection of the modern kiosks.

He termed this as illegal saying that City Hall’s bid to construct ‘temporary modern kiosks’ within the compound was in contravention of public interest since it would hamper disaster response efforts.

“People from the company came in different groups today morning claiming that they had been authorised to build temporary structures within the compound,” Mr Liech said.

He added: “Instead of putting up unnecessary structures within the compound, they should build centres that will accommodate our fire fighters and decent offices from which we can work in.”

However, when contacted, the county communications director Beryl Okundi promised that City Hall would address the matter.

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