'SANY demolitions': Taxpayers to cough Sh2 billion for Nakumatt Ukay compensation

On-going demolition of Nakumatt Ukay Center in Westlands on August 11, 2018. [File, Standard]

Kenyans will cough in excess of Sh2 billion to compensate the owners of Nakumatt Ukay mall demolished at the crack of dawn by a multi-agency government team back in 2018.

Justice Oguttu Mboya slammed four state agencies- Office of the Attorney General, National Environmental Management Authority, Water Resource Management Authority, and the Nairobi City County- for arbitrarily depriving the owners of Nakumatt Ukay of their property.

The National Youth Service, which formed part of the multi-agency team that went about demolishing properties allegedly built on riparian lands in the city, was spared the costs. The building was located in the affluent Westland area, adjacent to the Westgate Mall.