Nairobi
Tuesday, May 28, 2024
By Felix Mogaka
The Dandora Hip Hop City Centre, a renowned community hub established by celebrated singer Julius Owino, popularly known as Juliani, has been demolished as part of the ongoing government initiative to reclaim riparian land in Nairobi County.
The two-storey centre, which has been a pivotal space for youth and women to cultivate and showcase their talents, was torn down on Sunday.
Juliani, visibly heartbroken, shared a video of bulldozers dismantling the structure, expressing his grief and frustration over the loss of the facility.
“This is not the end but inauma sana! To think that we were working on expanding to the neighbouring spaces and upgrading the facility,” Juliani said.
He had previously alerted his fans about the imminent demolition and sought their support during these challenging times.
The demolition Is part of a broader governmental response to recent floods that resulted in numerous deaths, particularly in slum areas.
The government has intensified efforts to clear buildings from riparian zones to prevent future tragedies.
However, the operation has sparked significant controversy. Opposition leaders have condemned the demolitions, describing them as barbaric and discriminatory.
DAP Kenya leader and Azimio La Umoja Co-Principal Eugene Wamalwa questioned why the demolitions seem to target informal settlements while structures in affluent neighborhoods like Runda, which are also on riparian land, remain untouched.
“The government is targeting the poor with these demolitions and sparing the rich,” Wamalwa asserted, highlighting a perceived double standard in the enforcement of land reclamation policies.
As the debate continues, the demolition of the Dandora Hip Hop City Centre stands as a poignant example of the ongoing tension between urban development, environmental conservation, and social justice in Nairobi.