Singer Julius Owino, popularly known as Juliani, has expressed his heartbreak over the demolition of the Dandora Hip Hop Centre, his brainchild, as part of the ongoing operation to reclaim riparian land in Nairobi County. The center, a vital hub for youth and women to showcase and grow their talents, was recently taken down by bulldozers.
Juliani shared a video clip on social media showing the demolition of the two-storey building, voicing his pain and frustration. “This is not the end but inauma sana! To think that we were working on expanding to the neighbouring spaces and upgrading the facility,” he said.
The singer had earlier informed his fans about the imminent demolition, urging them to support him during these challenging times. “Gotten word that our community centre, Dandora Hip Hop City is being demolished. The whole 2 storey building. Yes, it’s close to a river. We purchased the building more than 7 years ago,” Juliani said on Sunday.
The government has been actively reclaiming riparian land and relocating people away from rivers, especially following recent floods that claimed hundreds of lives across the country, particularly in slum areas. These actions have sparked mixed reactions from the public and political leaders. Opposition leaders have condemned the demolitions, labeling them as barbaric and questioning why informal settlements are being specifically targeted.
