Several tenants at the famous Imenti House located in Nairobi Central Business District (CBD) are set to be affected following a Court Order.
Principal Magistrate Hon. B. M. Heloti of the Milimani Law Courts issued a ruling ordering for the auction of assets owned by Meru Coffee Cooperatives Union (MCCCU), which owns Imenti House.
Magistrate Heloti issued a ruling which mandates the OCS at Central Police Station to provide adequate security during the auction of the Union’s goods at Imenti House.
“THAT an order be and is hereby issued for the Officer Commanding Police Station (OCS) CENTRAL POLICE STATION to provide the Auctioneer with adequate security as he moves into the tenants/Respondent’s premises and remove all the proclaimed goods in IMENTI HOUSE, NAIROBI CBD plus Auctioneers charges and any other cost,” read part of the orders obtained by The Kenya Times.
As per the Court Order, the selected auctioneer accompanied by police officers, will have the permission to force open or break any outer doors to access the premises for the attachment of the judgment debtors’ items.
The court order is set to affect a section of tenants at Imenti House with the dispute centering around the building’s management and the actual property owner, MCCCU.
A tenant and businessman who spoke to The Kenya Times revealed that the dispute is a result of rent dispute, with the owners- the Meru Central Coffee Cooperative Union, accusing the building’s management of misappropriating rent.
“Tenants have been paying rent but the guys who leased the building were not paying the building owner. Also, it is a section of Imenti house not a whole building,” the source intimidated to clear the air on speculations that the building had been put up for sale.
MCCU Woes Affect Imenti House Tenants
The current eviction order is deeply rooted in a broader crisis affecting MCCCU, which has been struggling with severe internal conflicts.
MCCCU’s troubles date back to 2022, when leadership disputes within the Union threatened its operations.
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The union, which oversees a range of properties including the prominent Imenti House and Maccu House in Meru town, faced significant accusations of financial mismanagement and property misallocation.
MCCU is affiliated with 34 societies, with 97 wet mills and a membership of 93,687 men and 58,958 women, led by 63delegates elected from the 34 societies who also elect seven directors and three supervisory committee members.
Members of the MCCCU expressed concerns that the union’s leadership, particularly Chairman Ephantus Majau, was involved in questionable practices.
These included the unauthorized sale of valuable assets and a problematic borrowing spree.
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Members accused the management of not being transparent about the revenues generated from various properties and of failing to provide dividends, with the last payment being made in 2017.
They demanded a forensic audit to shed light on the union’s financial practices and to address the management’s alleged disregard for members’ interests.
Chairman defends self
In his response, Majau defended his leadership, asserting that the union’s asset base had grown significantly under his tenure, from Ksh500 million to Ksh2.1 billion.
He attributed some of the union’s borrowing to necessary refurbishments, including those at Imenti House, and argued that the dissenters were merely disgruntled former board members.
Despite these assurances, the internal strife and ongoing financial issues have severely impacted the union’s ability to manage its properties effectively.
Located along Tom Mboya Street in Nairobi, Kenya, Imenti House is a bustling shopping mall known for its vibrant atmosphere.
The mall features a diverse range of shops and stores, offering everything from trendy fashion boutiques to electronics outlets.
It attracts both locals and tourists, making it a popular destination for shopping and leisure.
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