The Pinnacle Tower: Why dream of constructing Africa’s tallest building in Kenya failed

An artist's impression of The Pinnacle Tower which was to become Africa’s tallest building. Photo: Courtesy.

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When President Uhuru Kenyatta laid the foundation stone for construction of The Pinnacle Tower on May 23, 2017, there was a palpable enthusiasm for what was to become Africa’s tallest building. Just over three years later, the developers are running in circles as authorities pursue them, the lofty dreams having stuck under the ground. After relentless court battles, rumours of mooted change of design and numerous threats of arrest for the developers, The Pinnacle Tower finally failed to take off. And just this week, National Construction Authority Executive Director Maurice Akech sent a warning notice to Jabavu Village Limited, the real estate arm of Hass Petroleum Group which, together with Dubai-based White Lotus Group, was developing the skyscraper.