Ukay Centre Owner Sues Government For Ksh2.3 Billion In Damages

Kental Entreprises, owners of Ukay Centre that was previously located in Westlands and demolished in August are suing the government for Ksh2.3 billion in damages.

The building owners insist that they followed the right channels to acquire approval for their building plans from the Nairobi City Council.

According to a petition presented at the Environment and Land Court in Nairobi, Kental Enterprises says that the demolition has instituted compulsory acquisition of their piece of land, which sat on 3 plots, by the county government, hence necessitating compensation.

Kental Enterprises is demanding for compensation over the demolition of the mall and the land on which it sat, and are seeking damages worth Ksh2.3 billion.

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The have estimated each of the 3 lands with their own values: the first plot is estimated at Ksh1.85 billion while the other 2 plots are valued Ksh.230 million each. This amount includes damages involved in the demolition.

The company has listed the Attorney General, Nairobi County government, National Environment and Management Authority (NEMA), the Water Resources Management Authority and the National Youth Service as respondents in the petition.

The company also wants to be exempted from paying land rates, rent or tax on the parcels of land from the date of the demolition of the mall.