Taj Mall To Be Demolished After Public OutCry

Airgate Centre along outering road, formerly Taj Mall, has been earmarked for demolition.

Tenants occupying the building have been advised to move their properties as the exercise of demolition is set to start any time this week.

The building had been set for demolition two years ago but owners moved to court and obtained court orders barring its demolition.

Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko promised that the building will be brought down this week, after the time given by the court order lapsed.

Members of the public have been complaining about the shopping complex, which has been built on land reserved for road expansion.

Last year, National Land Commission chairman Muhammad Swazuri said the government had compulsorily acquired part of the land in the 1960s. This was meant for expansion of Airport North and Outering Road.

However, the owner, Ramesh Gorasia dismissed claims the mall was built on government land. He said he bought 1.75 acres in 1991 and another two acres in 1995 — both from Abuja Ltd .

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Gorasia urged the government to follow the law when demolishing buildings.

“Before demolitions, the state should arrest and charge people who approved construction of the buildings. Those who issued the title deeds should be responsible,” he said. “If a mistake has been done, let them divert the river, instead of demolishing a building worth billions that authorities have approved.”

Taj Mall (Airgate Mall) joins the list of other buildings built on riparian land and road reserves that have been demolished. It is the first building built on road reserve that has been demolished.

Other structures demolished in the ongoing reclamation of riparian land and road reserves include Java House Kileleshwa, Nakumatt Ukay and Oshwal Centre.

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