The mystery surrounding the title deed for the Jevanjee land in Nairobi that is supposed to be used to build affordable houses took a new twist on Thursday.
Speaking after a committee meeting at the Nairobi County Assembly on Thursday, Nairobi County leaders questioned how the title deed sneaked from the county offices to a major commercial bank in Kenya, to be used as collateral for a Ksh1.9 Billion loan that is supposed to be used for building affordable houses.
Minority leader of the Nairobi County Assembly Anthony Kirago expressed his worry over how the title deed sneaked out of the county offices to the bank, casting fears that the whole process might have led to the misuse of taxpayers' money.
"We need explanations on how a title deed left the county, ended up in the bank, and ended up being charged", Kirago questioned.
According to Kirago, a developer was supposed to show up with the money, and then the County Government of Nairobi was to provide land where the developer would build units and sell to the public.
"What is shocking is that the Jevanjee project where almost 1400 houses were supposed to be built were sold out within a month, 5 years later, there is no progress in that project," Kirago continued.
The Minority leader further revealed that the County Assembly of Nairobi will be writing to the bank directing them to seize any transaction on the property.
Meanwhile, the County Assembly has summoned the bank officials to show up with the documents and explain to the committee and the people of Nairobi the procedure it used to charge public land.
"We have summoned the bank officials, to come with the documents and to come and explain to the committee and the people of Nairobi the procedure they used to charge public land," Kirago revealed.
There has been turmoil surrounding the Jevanjee land, with former Governor Mike Sonko being dragged into the ownership of the land. Sonko, who denied having anything to do with the land explained that the initial plot to acquire the land for the project was orchestrated by his predecessor Evans Kidero.
Speaking on Friday, 25 October, Sonko alleged that it was during Kidero's tenure that the county government reached a Public-Private Partnership deal with a local investor for the development of Affordable Houses within the city.
The charade surrounding the Jevanjee land comes after the Nairobi County Planning Committee highlighted a case of missing title deeds for several parcels of land earmarked for the Affordable Housing projects.
