Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja appeared before Senate Standing Committee on Roads, Transportation and Housing on Tuesday, February 27 to respond to an inquiry into the urban regeneration and renewal programme of old estates in Nairobi County.
Speaking during the session chaired by Senator Karungo Wa Thangwa, Sakaja said that the county government was not aware of any agreement between the Israel and Kenya government for construction of the estates through a Tenant Purchase Scheme.
The Committee said there has been an allegation by the tenants of Jericho Estate that the houses were to belong to them after 25 years of tenancy.
However, the tenants have not availed the said agreement.
“Nairobi City County Government has earmarked all estates for redevelopment to provide additional housing for rental purposes and home ownership. This is in line with the Government’s affordable housing agenda,” said the Governor.
Sakaja Explains Nairobi County Plans
Sakaja said that the County Government of Nairobi has awarded seven contracts for regeneration and renewal of old estates.
However, he explained that the titles deeds of the estates estimated to be 4000 acres are still under processing.
He added that the City County is not giving free houses, but the rent paid since occupation of the housing units will be used to get the tenants houses.
In addition, the governor said that the original plans for the estates were for the development of social housing to cater for the low-income earners.
However, the new proposed redevelopment comprises 70% affordable housing for low-income earners and 30% for high income earners due to shortfall experienced in the high- and middle-income bracket as well.
The Governor was given two weeks to furnish the committee with a statement of rent collected by Nairobi Coubty since 1985 for Ofafa Jericho, 1988 for Jericho Lumumba and 1990 for Ofafa Maringo Estates.
“All concerns should be dispensed with before the regeneration projects are launched,” said Sifuna.
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Sifuna Questions Sakaja’s Move
In a statement on X, Senator Edwin Sifuna questioned Sakaja’s decision to award the contracts without involving the affected residents.
Sifuna said there are several questions around the 4000 acres of land and the 13 affected estates.
“The Senate Committee on Housing finally got a chance to have a conversation with the Nairobi County Government on the Urban Renewal Program. Already 7 contracts have been signed with developers when affected residents don’t even know what’s going on,” said Sifuna.
“4000 Acres of Public land. 13 Estates. Many questions. We have vowed as a committee that what happened in Buxton Mombasa will not happen in Nairobi.”
Senate Summons
Governor Sakaja honored the summons after failing to appear before the committee on three occasions.
In defense, Sakaja explained that he was out of the country on official duties when he failed to appear before the committee.
He provided the committee with travel documents to prove his assertion.
“We imposed a fine of Ksh 500,000/-, when you failed to honour the two invites and a summon, contrary to section 19 of Powers and Privileges Act, I am happy to report the receipt of a banker’s cheque to that effect,” said Karungo.
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Kitui Senator, Enoch Wambua said that failure to appear before the committee by the Nairobi Governor contempt of the Senate.
He further added that the senators who became Governors were the most notorious, he wondered what had happened to former legislators who turned out to be the county chiefs.
“It is not fair to tell this honorable committee that you had travelled out of the country on official duty, but you cannot prioritize the work of the Senate where you sat as a senator some years ago. We need to enhance the fine in the Powers and Privilege Act which undergoing amendments,” Senator Sifuna implored the Governor.
Governor Sakaja told the Committee he knows the place of the Senate in devolution and respects the Parliamentary Committees whereby he served as the Chairman for ten years.
