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Runda investor in new push to put up hotel

runda

A section of Runda Estate. FILE PHOTO | NMG

Foreign Secretary Amina Mohamed’s brother Ahmed Jibril has renewed his controversial bid to put up a Sh1 billion hotel at the upmarket Runda Estate in Nairobi.

Regulatory filings show Paddock Investments whose directors are—Mr Jibril (chairman), Amina Mulik Ali, ARJ Capital Limited, Sudhir Jayantilal Patel and Billow A. Kerrow—have forwarded a new request to the National Environmental Management Authority (Nema) seeking approval.

The renewed activity follows conclusion of a court case that allowed the construction subject to Nema approval. The developers are supposed to address concerns by Runda gated Community Association.

Nema has confirmed receiving the plea and has invited the residents to a consultative meeting to be held at the 8.4 acre site on November 28. It will be chaired by the Nairobi County Commissioner.

Residents had opposed amalgamation of the 15 plots by the developer that led to a change of user contrary to the wish of living in a serene, safe and secure noise-free environment.

READ: Row rages over planned building of Runda hotel

“The amalgamation and change of user is against zoning restrictions and is in breach of other applicable special conditions regulating the parent grant of Runda Estate,” the residents’ association chairman Isaac Gitoho said in a protest letter to the Nairobi County. But Mr Jibril sought to address the fears saying Runda residents’ main concerns on water use, increased traffic and absence of a sewer line had been sufficiently resolved.

“I have good intentions and the area needs such an investment. All the approvals have been above board,” he said, even as he disassociated the Foreign Affairs secretary from his investment activities.

The filings indicated that the four-star 220-bed hotel with will be linked to an international hotel chain, enabling it to serve its targeted audience, business tourists and diplomats.

“The global hotel chain will be mandated to comply with the security requirements of the UN agencies as well as the American, Canadian and other embassies based in the area,” said the filings.

The upcoming storeyed hotel will boast a swimming pool, an expansive lawn and a 260-vehicle parking bay.