Billionaire Ramesh Gorasia Reacts to Demolition of Nairobi's Airgate Mall

Billionaire Ramesh Gorasia, the owner of Airgate Mall (formerly Taj Mall) has reacted to the demolition of the multi-billion shilling shopping complex located on Nairobi's Embakasi area.

Addressing journalists in Nairobi on Saturday, the businessman condemned the flattening of his building and called for arrest and prosecution of officers who approved its construction.

Gorasia said he got all the necessary approvals for setting up of the four-storey structure in 1995 and had renewed them seven times since then.

“They gave approvals based on the title deed which was genuine and the land rates which were all paid,” he said and went on to show reporters the documents to prove that he followed the right procedures before constructing the building.

He urged the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) to investigate county officials who approved the construction.

“All I will say is that it is wrong to demolish this mall that people purportedly say was built on a road reserve,” he added.

He further noted that he possesses title deed for the land where the mall was built. After he was issued with a 14-day notice to bring down the building last month, the tycoon dared the team leading the demolition exercise to flatten it themselves.

“I am saying this openly to any authority, I am not going to remove this structure, not even to my death! If they want to remove it, they come and do it themselves,” an irate Gorasia said at the time.

“Whoever is ordering this demolition stop hiding, come out and face me, I am not scared of anything,” he added.