Gov't Revokes Nairobi's Airgate Mall's Title Deed Ahead of Planned Demolition

The government has revoked the title deed of a parcel of land where Airgate Centre, formerly Taj Mall stands on.

The National Land Commission (NLC) ordered the shopping complex owner, Rameshchandra Gorasia to surrender the document for regularisation. NLC maintained part of land where the mall is built  is a reserve for Outer-Ring road.

“The Commission received a complaint on 14th June 2013, from Kenya Urban Roads Authority requesting it to review grants for parcels located along Outer-Ring Road to determine their legality or propriety. LR 209/13938- Taj Mall, was among the parcels of land received,” NLC said in a statement.

“The amalgamated title 209/13938 should be surrendered to the commission for regularisation and excision of 7075/13/1 which is vested in the national government for road expansion,” a statement from NLC said.

The agency said the state acquired the disputed land in 1960 for construction of Outer-Ring Road and was gazetted as such on April 30th, 1971.

“It is, therefore, the commission’s position that the property was compulsorily acquired for road expansion and it is thus a public utility and that any title held is revoked."

This comes after Nairobi Regeneration committee head of operations Julius Wanjau announced the demolition of Airgate Mall will commence this week following the expiry of two-week notice issued to the owner to vacate.

“We are still doing South End Mall and we are hopeful to clear it before next week. We have given the owners ample time to comply with the notice before we move in starting next week. The demolition of Airgate will take place anytime within the week but we will communicate on the same,” Wanjau said.

Last month, Gorasia accused the government of frustrating investors through the demolitions.