How NLC saved DP Ruto’s hotel from demolition

There have been land case surrounding Deputy President William Ruto’s Wiston hotel, not so long the public thought the hotel could be demolish after report alleged that itwas lying on riparian land.

New details have emerged that  National Land Commission (NLC) gave the hotel  a rare privilege of paying up for developing an illegally acquired public land.

A January 22 NLC report, slapping Weston Hotel on the wrist for illegally taking up 0.773 hectare of land belonging to the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) places the blame on past officials at Lands ministry.
The report acknowledges that the 0.773 hectare (1.7 acres) land was illegally allotted in 1998 and that it indeed belonged to KCAA but still opted to give the hotel a soft landing, requiring it to pay KCAA for the piece of land opposite the Wilson Airport.
This is in contrast to what has been witnessed in recent past, where buildings on public land have been brought down, in spite of their owners obtaining court documents stopping demolitions. This was the case for the South End Mall along Lang’ata Road, down the road from Weston, that had been built on riparian land.
In the report, NLC says it would regularise the Title Deed issued to Weston Hotel once it pays KCAA the current market rates for the parcel of land.
“Weston Hotel is required to pay the current market price of land to KCAA so as to enable it purchase land of equal value,” said NLC report signed by Abigael Mbagaya, the commission’s vice chair.
The report details how the piece of land has since 1998 changed hands, and the various interventions by KCAA and numerous Ministry of Transport officials.
These included several Principal Secretaries that over time served in the ministry, including Francis Muthaura and Sammy Kyungu. Former Prime Minster Raila Odinga also at some point tried to intervene.
The parcel was initially allocated to Priority Investments Limited and Manene Investments Limited after paying what NLC said was grossly undervalued amount.

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