Economy

‘God is watching’, Taj Mall owner tells authorities out to demolish the building

taj

Airgate Centre. FILE PHOTO | NMG

The Taj Mall owner has told the government to demolish the building adding that “God is watching”.

A visibly angry and emotional Ramesh Gorasia told a Press conference that since he put up the building, now known as Airgate Centre, he has not had peace.

“The building is mine and not for William Ruto or anyone else. If you want to demolish it do it, I don’t care, I am tired of hearing about its demolition now for over five years. I have suffered enough since rumours of its demolition began circulating; losing Sh2 billion to Sh3 billion in rentals, it is enough. Please bring it down even now. I don’t care,” said Mr Gorasia.

He, however, appealed to President Uhuru Kenyatta to turn it into a public utility such as a market, hospital or school to benefit people instead of putting it down.

“I support President Kenyatta’s efforts but he has wrong advice. Why should he demolish it yet he can use it as either as a market or any other public utility?” he asked.

The move comes after the 2017 Nairobi County senatorial candidate had been given 14 days to bring the property down.

The government’s committee on unsafe buildings, in a notice dated August 16, gave the developer up to August 30 to demolish the structure.

National Building Inspectorate secretary Moses Nyakiongora said the building, situated at the North Airport Road and Outer Ring Road junction, had encroached on the road reserve and wayleave hindering the upgrade of the highway.

“Upon the expiry of this notice, the illegal development will be demolished or removed from the road reserve and wayleave at the owners'/developers' risk and cost,” read the notice.

Tenants were asked to vacate before expiry of the deadline.

The building, officially opened on August 1, 2011, has been making headlines with speculations rife over its demolition. The speculations went overdrive with the expansion of Outer Ring Road.

The National Land Commission revoked the property's tittle deed in 2013 but the building survived demolition after the road expansion project was re-designed.

The Law Society of Kenya demanded that a list of all buildings marked for demolition be gazetted in seven days or it sues.

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