A Nairobi court Monday barred a developer from constructing 512 housing units in Lavington along Mbaazi Avenue in Nairobi County’s Thompson area.
The orders against Merticom Home Nairobi were issued by Justice Oscar Angote, also prohibited them from constructing 16 apartment blocks on a one-acre plot of land.
“Prayer B is granted until November 2, 2023, when the case will be heard between the parties,” Justice Angote said in a ruling.
Residents of the Millennium Gardens estate have filed a lawsuit against Metricom for allegedly failing to comply with zoning regulations and environmental concerns.
They claim that the proposed project will endanger the residents’ health, safety, and sanitation, as well as other socioeconomic factors.
“The proposed development by the respondents is irregular, unlawful and contrary to the interested party’s zoning policy which stipulates that development within the subject are should not go beyond four stories,” reads suit papers.
The residents said the project will have an impact on the lives of those who live nearby because of the large number of units that will be built.
Millennium residents are perplexed as to how the county increased the initial approval from 336 to 512 units.
They claim that if the construction of the aforementioned residential apartments is not halted, the residents will be greatly harmed.
“The development by the respondent is shrouded by secrecy as the respondent commenced the project without putting up a project signboard and consequently making it difficult to ascertain whether the respondent obtained necessary approvals,” the court papers read in part.
This is a win for many residents who are under pressure from developers who collude with City Hall to be allowed to construct high rise structures.
There is a surge of such buildings in the city estates especially in Kilimani, Lavington, Kileleshwa among others.
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