The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority relinquished ownership of the land where a hotel associated with Deputy President William Ruto was later built 16 years ago, according to documents in our possession. The documents show the authority vacated the land in 2002 when it was allocated two parcels elsewhere.
The Government, through the Ministry of Lands, gave the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA), then known as Directorate of Civil Aviation (DCA), allotment letters for the two parcels in 2001 before the agency transferred its equipment from the Weston Hotel plot.
KCAA approved the construction of the hotel on condition that its height does not go beyond 15 metres, in accordance with aviation safety rules, while acknowledging it formerly owned the land.
On July 3, 2001, former Commissioner of Lands Sammy Mwaita allocated KCAA plots LR Nos. 9187 and 9188 through letter reference No. 51776/XVI, with the agency paying Sh3,530 through cheque No. 005174.
“Enclosed herewith please find cheque for Sh3,530 being payment for the above plot and arrange to process title deed as necessary.
Please let us also have a copy of a deed plan to enable us locate the site for further necessary action,” BSK Muli wrote to Mr Mwaita on behalf of the then KCAA managing director, Chris Kuto, on August 6, 2001. However, on August 22, 2001, then Transport PS Francis Muthaura wrote to his Lands colleague, Nehemiah Ng’eno, asking him to safeguard the plot as it had buildings that provide central storage facilities for sensitive air navigation equipment and spares.
On October 1, 2002, KCAA assistant director B Amukowa communicated the decision to relocate the DCA stores from the Weston land and appointed the officer in charge of the logistics unit, AN Gatta, to spearhead the relocation.
Puzzle of Ruto, KCAA and Weston Hotel land: Documents show authority relinquished parcel, amid strong opposition from some officials, after it was offered two other plots. https://t.co/ite6IogjCz
— Breaking News (@News_Kenya) October 23, 2018
On April 29, 2008, when Ruto was serving as minister for Agriculture, KCAA wrote to Priority Management, the then owners of the land, asking for Sh6,000 as fee for inspection and approval.
The law required developers planning building near airport to seek KAA’s authorisation. Last week, Ruto told the National Land Commission (NLC) probing the acquisition of the 0.7 hectares or (1.7 acres) that he legitimately bought the land. The DP, Rachel Ruto, Charlene Chelagat, and Matiny Limited are listed as shareholders of Weston Hotel Ltd.