Kenya’s ‘tallest’ building a threat to State House

The Consumer Federation of Kenya (Cofek) is against the construction of the 47-storey Avic International Africa headquarters building, saying it poses security threat to State House.

Cofek Secretary general Stephen Mutoro says the upcoming building on Chiromo Lane, Westlands, will give easy viewpoint and assault launch point on State House.

“The would-be Nairobi’s tallest building proximity to State House and other important security installations poses a real security threat as the much needed privacy within and around State House would not be guaranteed,” says Mutoro.

Cofek has already petitioned the county assembly to stop the development “With a view to revisiting all the approvals which have a clear making of scandal”.

Mutoro also wants the MCAs to investigate county lands and planning officials with what he says is “A view to finding their approval as irregular to both public interest and interest of the county especially on how the Sh97 million fees was computed”.

He says the due process of the law and public interest thresholds were not followed in approving the construction. He accuses City Hall and concerned government agencies of disregarding fundamental questions on the project.

“Westlands being an earthquake prone area, it is not clear whether an independent geological stability assessment has been made to ascertain whether it will carry the proposed heights of the building and adjacent 35-storey hotel,” says Mutoro.

Mutoro adds, “The failure of the National Land Commission involvement is a mystery to public interest. The non-objection from the National Construction Authority and Kenya Urban Roads Authority raises even more critical questions”.