Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko on Thursday suspended construction of a Sh9.6 billion tower by Chinese firm AVIC next to Villa Rosa Kempinski hotel along Chiromo Road in Westlands.
The action was taken as the tower allegedly encroaches on public land.
At the same time, at least 15 individuals were arrested at the site and are scheduled to be arraigned in court at 2 pm on Thursday.
"Over 15 individuals arrested at the ongoing construction of AVIC by Chinese company near Kempinski hotel," Nairobi Communications Director Elkana Jacob confirmed to Kenyans.co.ke.
The complex was expected to include, upon completion, a 43-floor office block and four apartment blocks as well as a five-star hotel to be occupied by US chain Marriot Hotels.
[caption caption="An artistic impression of AVIC tower once completed"]
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It was also meant to serve as AVIC's Africa headquarters.
The adjacent Kempinski hotel vehemently opposed the ongoing construction and wrote to former Governor Evans Kidero seeking to stop it.
In addition, they petitioned the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), National Land Commission (NLC), the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources as well as the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) as they mounted a legal challenge.
Through its parent company Simba Corporation owned by billionaire businessman Adil Popat's family, Kempinski told a court that the noise from the construction site was negatively affecting their operations and business.
In 2015, Kempinski asked the National Environment Tribunal (NET) to overturn NEMA's approval of the AVIC project, arguing that it had failed to demonstrate how it intends to address storm water drainage, noise and air pollution during construction.
[caption caption="The front entrance to Villa Rosa Kempinski"]
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