Nairobi MCA Jayendra Malde Arrested for Soliciting Sh5.7 Million Bribe in to Block Demolition of Concord Hotel

Detectives from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) have arrested Parklands Member of County Assembly (MCA) Jayendra Malde while allegedly soliciting Sh5.7 million bribe.

The anti-graft agency said the Ward Representative was demanding the cash from the owner of Nairobi's Concord Hotel in order to convince Governor Mike Sonko to stop the demolition of the facility, which reportedly sits on riparian land.

“(It was to act) as an inducement to prevail upon the Nairobi Governor. Mike Sonko not to order the demolition of the (Concord) Hotel on riparian land,” EACC said on Twitter.

The money was allegedly to be shared among 19 Members of Nairobi County Assembly's Legal Committee for them to influence the Governor’s decision on planned demolition of Concord Hotel. The MCA will be arraigned in court next week.

Concord Hotel is said to be among 4000 buildings in Nairobi targeted in crackdown on illegal structures. The operation has so far seen flattening of some multi-million shillings structures among them Java House and Shell Petrol Station in Kileleshwa; Ukay Centre; South End Mall and parts of Oshwal Centre.

On Monday, billionaire businessman Praful Kumar was arrested by officers from the EACC  while attempting to bribe Nairobi Governor Sonko at his Kilifi residence with Sh1 million.

The tycoon was trying to stop the county government from demolishing Grand Manor Hotel located in Nairobi's Gigiri area.