Move the Rivers, Don’t Demolish-Ferdinard Waititu

By Virginia Mwangi

Kiambu County Governor Ferdinand Waititu commonly referred to as Baba Yao has excited Kenyans on Twitter (KOT) with his remarks when he openly opposed the ongoing demolition of structures built on the riparian land.

The Kiambu Governor said that instead of tearing down buildings the owners should foot for the cost of diverting the rivers.

“Kama watu wanasupport ubomoaji, mimi hapana support. Mambo iangaliwe kama kuna nyumba yako imekaribiana na mto, wewe uambiwe ni gharama yako kuhakikisha hiyo mto imesonga kidogo. Lakini kubomoa nyumba is not a solution. Honestly speaking. It’s such a big loss,” said Waititu, who KOT’s are having a field day ridiculing, during a church service in Kikuyu constituency, which was also attended by Deputy President William Ruto.

The literal imagination of moving rivers to avoid the ongoing demolitions has had the Governor trending on social media platforms with the creative netizens creating memes.

Waititu, who is famous for his sensational statements, did not seem to mind contradicting the president, who was in attendance, on the demolition of structures built on the riparian land.

Waititu’s statement comes before Kenyans had had enough with news of the Governor’s county government constructing a staircase up to a hill at Karanji in Limuru East ward. According to the county government, however, the staircase is meant to provide an alternative route for school-going children and locals as the road they often use to Limuru town is impassable during the rainy season.