Sonko rubbishes claims of holding title deeds for affordable housing projects
The National Bank of Kenya reportedly possesses
the title deeds for the Jeevanjee and Pangani affordable housing projects as
part of a Ksh.1.9 billion loan facility.
This is according to former Nairobi Governor
Mike Sonko, who accused the current Nairobi administration, led by Governor
Johnson Sakaja, and the Nairobi County Assembly of misleading the public on the
matter.
Sonko, addressing the press from his Upperhill
office on Thursday, likewise dismissed recent claims suggesting that he
personally holds the title deed for the Jeevanjee project.
He presented documents indicating that the
County Government and the project's private investor had charged the property
to secure the multi-billion shilling loan.
This comes after Nairobi County Executive
Committee Member (CECM) for Built Environment and Urban Planning recently told
the County Assembly’s Planning and Housing Committee that the title deed was
still with Sonko.
The committee, chaired by Kitisuru MCA Alvin
Palapala, even considered summoning the former Governor for clarification.
However, Sonko described this as a
diversionary tactic, asserting that senior county officials are signatories to
the loan agreement.
He shared documents with the media, including
a letter dated April 18, 2020, from then-Acting County Secretary Patrick Analo,
requesting the assembly’s approval to deposit the title deed for the Pangani
Estate Urban Renewal Project.
Sonko also highlighted a letter from the National
Bank, dated January 1, 2023, confirming the disbursement of Ksh.1.9 billion to
the project’s private developer.
The bank approved the loan after the property
had been charged, implying that the County Assembly’s approval occurred after
the funds were already secured.
“The title was taken to the bank through the
registration of the Nairobi Jeevanjee Estate Company Limited, a special purpose
vehicle, to secure financing,” Sonko explained.
Further, the ex-county boss warned of
potential plans to exploit the original tenants, suggesting that there may be a
scheme to hand over the project to cartels.
“This is all propaganda aimed at confusing
the public. Governor Sakaja should focus on completing the projects without
unnecessary drama,” Sonko stated.
Sonko went ahead to alleged that during his
term, he compensated 48 homeowners at Old Pangani Estate with Ksh.28.8 million,
paving the way for the construction of 1,500 affordable housing units.
He said each tenant received Ksh.600,000 to
facilitate their relocation, with the understanding that they would receive priority
upon the project’s completion.
Sonko clarified that the provisional
certificate for the land was issued on July 2, 2016, before it was transferred
from the colonial land registry to the Nairobi County Government on July 1,
2018, under a 99-year lease.
He urged Governor Sakaja and the County
Assembly to verify this information with the Ministry of Lands.
“If they delay, they will only create more confusion. The transfer of the lease was finalized on July 24, 2019, and witnessed by key officials, including the County Secretary and directors of Nairobi Jeevanjee Estate Limited,” said Sonko.
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