The Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) has stopped the construction of 870 bedsitter units within Nairobi's upmarket estate of Kilimani, a project that was being undertaken by a Chinese company.
In a letter by the NMS Director for Lands, Housing, and Urban Planning, Stephen Mwangi, it was revealed that the 15 storey building had exceeded the required ground coverage that is stipulated for the posh estate.
The company was directed to immediately stop the ongoing construction, with NMS terming the project as illegal.
“Consequently, the approval granted on October 31, 2021, and the application pending by NMS vide plan Reg. No. CPF AS 740 are hereby disapproved,” read the letter in part.
Mwangi added that the project developer failed to submit sufficient information over the project when seeking approval.
The NMS also noted that the project plan failed to detail the traffic management within the estate. However, it was indicated that the project would only resume after all the issues that had been raised are resolved.
Additionally, NMS noted that some of the units did not have proper ventilation as was stipulated in the plan.
"The same plan is hereby revoked until the issues raised therein are resolved. You are, therefore, advised to stop further construction forthwith as per our enforcement notice to avoid illegal action," read the letter in part.
The cancellation of the project comes after some residents of the posh estate raised concerns over the project, further filing a petition with NMS Director General, Mohamed Badi.
In their petition, the residents stated that the development would stretch the facilities within the estate, citing the traffic that would occur once the project is completed.
Consequently, officials of NMS visited the construction site in December 2021 to ascertain the concerns raised by the residents.
Meanwhile, residents of KMA estate in South C, have petitioned NMS over a similar project that is being undertaken by a private developer.
According to the residents, the project contravenes the county laws on development, adding that it will impact on their privacy.
