New residents’ association launched

NSSF launches residents association that will to take over the management of Nyayo estate from NSSF, writes JECKONIA OTIENOTwo decades ago, the Embakasi area of Nairobi was a plain area that many considered not favourable for settlement. It was considered far-flung from the city centre where most businesses and economic activities thrived. But that was then. Today the area is bustling with life. The area that was usually marshy during the rainy season and dusty when drought struck is now home to a well-planned estate — Nyayo.&#8239;In a clear statement that the area is now a prime residential area there was pomp and colour last Nyayo Estate in the background. [PHOTOS: JECKONIA OTIENO /STANDARD]weekend as Nyayo Estate Residents Association (Nera) was launched in preparation to take over the management of the estate from the National Social Security Fund (NSSF), which developed and still manages it.Eye openerThe function, graced by Nairobi Regional Commissioner Christopher Musumbu, was meant to be an eye opener to other residential estates. The function, held at Good Testimony Junior School brought together house owners and tenants; is one that most residences of Nairobi would love to emulate.Nyayo Estate is unique. Tenants buy units through a Tenant Purchase Scheme (TPS). It has around 20, 000 residents that the association leaders say is expected to grow to 25, 000 on full occupancy. Under the purchasing scheme, tenants pay for the units even as they live in them. Currently the ownership of a unit is a deal between the tenants and the NSSF, the estate developer.The estate has a total of 4,700 housing units. Though some are still under construction 3, 200 units are already occupied.According to Stanley Omondi, NERA’s secretary, the association will in the meantime take care of managing service provision in the estate because the houses have not yet been handed over. "The sale agreement is always between the developer and the tenant, so Nera cannot come in just yet until after the full handing over," clarifies Omondi.Unlike mortgages where three parties are involved — seller, buyer and financier— Nyayo Estate has only two thereby reducing cases of bureaucracy; the contract just exists between the tenant and the developer. Omondi further explains that the association, will only take care of service provision like waste management, cleaning and security among other important services. All these services have, until now been provided by the developer. Tenants pay a monthly fee for these services. The association cannot at the moment solve cases arising from breach of contracts between the buyers and the developer until it fully takes over the management.A tenant who buys a unit at Nyayo Estate has complete control of the said house but the other sections of the court or zone remain common property for use by the residents of the particular court or zone. The chairperson, George Ochola, states that there are courts made of flats and zones made up of maisonettes. Each court or zone has a chairperson and other leaders to represent interest groups. There are women’s leaders, youth leaders and environmental leaders.All inclusiveAll these leaders present the views of their groups, which makes the association all-inclusive. Ochola was, however, quick to note that political interests are not tolerated as this can only bring down the association and its cause.The regional commissioner expressed similar sentiments when he warned the residents against allowing political interference within the association."We are happy with what you are doing and I am happy to announce that we are going to co-opt this association in many committees around Nairobi because you have set an example that ought to be followed. Just make sure that you do not allow political interference which might just end up dividing you," said Musumbu.He also congratulated the estate for being voted the second cleanest estate in Africa during the recent Africa Real Estate and Housing Finance Academy (AREHF) Awards, second only to an estate in Ghana. Musumbu further warned the association against allowing the construction of unplanned structures around it as has happened in many other well planned estates around the city. He also lauded the efforts by the residents to keep environmental degradation at bay.As the developer can only hand over the estate to a registered company, the association is currently in the process of seeking registration.Karengata exemplarity Speakers at the function gave a standing ovation to one of the city’s oldest and most powerful resident associations, Karengata Residents Association, which they say has managed to keep Karen an estate to reckon with. Nyayo Estate association plans to follow in the footsteps of its more illustrious ‘big brother’ Karengata in pursuit of residents’ welfare.Embakasi District Commissioner Peter Mbugi urged the estate officials to seek for ISO certification and be a leader in the country.

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