Why William Ruto Could Now Fork Out More than 350 Million For the Weston Hotel Land

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The Weston Hotel land saga is far from over. It has now emerged that DP William Ruto could part with more than Sh350 million for the land on which his Weston Hotel stands on Lang’ata Road, Nairobi, following recommendations by the National Land Commission.

A professional land valuer, Mr Waweru Maina, has revealed that an acre of land in the area goes for Sh220 million. Weston sits on 0.77 hectares (equivalent to 1.7 acres).

“The principal that applies is that the bigger the land, the lesser the value,” he said. “If an eighth acre goes for Sh1 million, an acre will not be Sh8 million, but less. Therefore, an acre in that area costs Sh220 million, then 1.7 acres will cost roughly Sh350 million.”

However, the NLC has recommended that it undertakes fresh valuation on the parcel before a final figure is sent to the DP for settlement — that is if the DP agrees to the NLC’s findings.

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A close confidant of the DP who has been following the matter but who sought anonymity said: “He is ready to pay whatever penalties will be imposed on him so that he finishes with this issue once and for all.”

However, the DP’s wish could hit a snag since the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) — the complainant in the case — has signalled its intention to appeal NLC’s decision. This can only take place in a full court hearing.

“It will mean going forward that somebody can just grab public land and allege that he or she is an innocent purchaser, and thereafter decide to compensate, which is wrong,” KCAA lawyer Cyril Wayong’o told a local publication.

In the event that the case goes for full trial, Dr Ruto’s confidant said he (the DP) is confident that the case will go his way. “The documentation for this land are all valid and therefore his chances of victory are strong,” he said.

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