Gov’t to Demolish the Iconic Kahama Hotel in Nairobi
The government has confirmed plans to demolish the iconic Kahama Hotel in the Ngara area of Nairobi.
Business Daily reports that the government is seeking to acquire the land on which the hotel sits for the construction of a new public transport terminal in Nairobi’s Globe Roundabout area.
At least five landowners will lose their prime properties to pave the way for the setting up of the bus station by the Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS).
Kahama Hotel, which is owned by the family of the late billionaire James Mwangi Kirung’o, was established in the 1980s and was previously known as Kenya International Hotel.
National Lands Commission (NLC) chair Gershom Otachi said the affected landowners would be compensated by the government.
The government will also acquire part of the land in the Grogan area in Nairobi.
The construction of the Globe Roundabout bus terminus is part of NMS plans to ease traffic congestion within the city. Other termini include Green park, Muthurwa, Fig Tree, Desai, Park road, Workshop road, and Bunyala road.
NMS further plans to put up pedestrian walkways and cycling lanes along various streets in Nairobi.
“The non-motorized transport program will not only offer safety to pedestrians and cyclists but also contribute to decongestion on the roads. The grey ones are meant for pedestrians while the red is for cycling,” NMS Director-General Mohammed Badi stated.
Comments (9)
This is the problem with owning prime land in Kenya. It can be taken away from you just like that. There’s no way the government will compensate this family for all potential future earnings. It even seems that they were not given any option.
Could be the Land was grabbed Public land.
How about this @ KK, the government has a right to acquire land private or not for public good.What has been explained here seem to fit the bill. The key is fair,or just compensation. This is atough one.You mention potential future earnings,but also consider potential future losses.What the government does is take the value of the fair market the property could fetch if it were sold today.
In Florida where I reside,imminent domain rule could be challenged in court,and if 3/5 of the representatives in both houses.As you can is, if the house agree with you the property owner,you retain your property.Obviously,the challenge is getting 3/5 approval.
even if same clause applied to Kenya,It would take quite some bank rolls to convince 3/5 of the parliament to look elsewhere.
Bottom line, Just compensation is the KEY.My 2 cents.
How about this @ KK, the government has a right to acquire land private or not for public good.What has been explained here seem to fit the bill. The key is fair,or just compensation. This is atough one.You mention potential future earnings,but also consider potential future losses.What the government does is take the value of the fair market the property could fetch if it were sold today.
In Florida where I reside,imminent domain rule could be challenged in court,and if 3/5 of the representatives in both houses.As you can is, if the house agree with you the property owner,you retain your property.Obviously,the challenge is getting 3/5 approval.
even if same clause applied to Kenya,It would take quite some bank rolls to convince 3/5 of the parliament to look elsewhere.
Bottom line, Just compensation is the KEY.My 2 cents.
I disagree.Before the government grabs it you are compensated at the fair market price in other words these are unexpected windfall gains.Talk with former land owners bordering the SGR they woke up to find money in their accounts most had never dreamt of earning in their lifetime.Yes there are the disadvantaged who think like you do but why develop prime property if you anticipate it will be grabbed for road expansion that is why plots next to the highway are so expensive on the other hand if you had mortgaged your property to the hilt yes you will be left holding the bag crying over potential future earnings
@KK the Kenyan gava pays n will pay you what they think yr building or land is worth.Am a witness of that coz previously I have bin paid good money when my building was to come dwn juu the southern bypass needed to pass thru’.But if u lived in uganda/Tanzania u will b lucky to b compensated juu the land belongs to the gavament
Imminent domain exists everywhere. So long as the owners are compensated accordingly it should not be an issue
Gai it was my favorite place
pole, chukua picha kabla wa bomoe!