Melly cautions politicians behind Mombasa Road acquisition plans

By JAMES WAINDI

Standard reporter

Standard Group’s Deputy Chairman and Chief Strategist Paul Melly has said politicians campaigning for the demolition of structures along the Mombasa Road, would one day be made to account for their actions by Kenyans.

Melly, who was speaking during the Kass FM awards ceremony at a Nairobi hotel, said leaders were expected to lead from the front instead of chest thumping and exercising authority in the wrong way.

"It is ridiculous that the Government wants to demolish property worth billions to build a section of road worth less.

"This is an indication of how some of leaders can act when trusted with power. Kenyans are watching and one day they will be made to answer," said Melly.

The Government has planned land seizures along Mombasa Road to for the expansion of the Northern Corridor road, which will affect multi-million premises, including the Standard Group Centre.

Toll project

Mr Melly had previously said that the group was not aware of any official record or previous notification that cautioned investors of the intention of Government to reserve any corridor.

BRAVO: Joshua Chepkwony (left) Chairman Kass International and Standard Group Deputy chairman Paul Melly (right) present Sh1.5 million cheque to women’s Kass marathon winner Magdalene Mukunzi during the awards ceremony at Carnivore grounds on Friday. [PHOTO:STAFFORD ONDEGO/STANDARD]

"Media is a national asset and Standard Group stands for the interest of everyone. We need to protect our interests and the media need to be protected as well," said Melly.

Kass FM chairman Joshua Chepkwony threw his weight behind Standard Group and urged all media houses to support Standard Group at this time.

"We must protect property because business touches lives of people. Standard

Group touches the lives of many people and we cannot just sit and do nothing when some people are trying to mess with the investment.

"We will support the Standard," said Chepkwony.

Meanwhile, the Kenya Union of Journalists (KUJ) has come out in support of the Standard Group. Yesterday, the Union filed a case against the Commissioner of Lands; Roads Minister Franklin Bett, the Nairobi City Council and the Local Government Minister Musalia Mudavadi over the forcefully acquisition plan.